[1] Loch Ailort is bounded in the northeast by the settlement of the same name, Lochailort and in the west, opening out into the Sound of Arisaig.

The northern coastline is overlooked by the hill Cruach an Aonaich, that is situated at the centre of the V shape of the loch, and the ridge of An t Aonach which follows the coastline northeast to the edge of the loch, where the ridge flattens out to sea level.

The southern coastline is dominated by the fine, cone-shaped former volcano of An Stac, which is a Corbett and overlooks Lochailort to the north.

Further behind An Stac to south, and overlooking the great expanse of the sea loch, is the west-facing ridge that is made up of the Sgurr na Ba Glaise in the east followed by Rois-bheinn and Cruach Doir'an Raoigh, which are also, all Corbetts.

Further northeast, and visible from the village of Lochailort is the small mid channel island grouping of Eilean Dubh.