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Since the sport originated in the UK over a century ago, motorcycle trials have enjoyed a rich
association with Fort William and the Lochaber region, which hosts the SSDT. ‘The Scottish’
as it is more commonly known, celebrated its 100th anniversary last May and continues to be
one of the most prestigious events in the international competitive motorcycle trials calendar.
Motorcycle trials are unique in the world of motorsport, with it being the only discipline where
the winner is decided on skill alone and not speed. The SSDT sees its competitors ride
across the challenging terrain of the Lochaber countryside on special lightweight trials bikes,
negotiating steep gullies, slippery rock steps, rocky streams or boulder-strewn gorges.
Competitors can cover more than 100 miles on some days of the event, making it the ultimate
test of skill and endurance.

The SSDT is also unique in that it brings together riders of all ages, skill and experience
levels, with everyday hobby trials riders completing the same course as their international
championship heroes. It is free to go along to watch this fantastic spectator sport.
Amongst this year’s competitors will be last year’s winner, 25-year-old professional trials rider
James Dabill from Leeds. 2011 marked a double victory for Dabill, as not only did he
win the SSDT in its centenary year, it was the second time he has won the event having also
taken home the trophy in 2007.

He comments:

“It was a great feeling to win the Scottish Six Days Trial in its centenary last year. The SSDT
is one of the best trials events in the world. It’s every young trials rider’s dream to go up there
and do it. Winning the SSDT was definitely on the list of things I set out to achieve in my
career and now I’ve done it twice. It would be great to get a hat-trick this year and become a
part of that select club.”

“I don’t think you could have an event like it anywhere else in the world. It doesn’t matter if the
weather is bad or good, it always feels great to be there.”

Dabill admits to having the ‘Scottish Highlands bug’ having recently returned to the region on
a cycling trip: “It’s a beautiful place and the people are always so welcoming. I’m definitely
looking forward to being back in May.”

Check out details about the 2012 SSDT event here

The fireworks display at the Banavie Rugby Club was a fantastic success with a great crowd that filled the bar inside and lined the streets outside all way down to the Moorings Hotel. At the end, the crowd dispersed out to the many mini firework displays and bonfires that were scattered around the area.

The clear skies made for a fantastic moonlit evening while a thick frost descended. The warmth of a Roy Bridge Bonfire (and perhaps a spot of Ben Nevis whisky) helped warm our chilly toes from the below zero temperatures. It’s a fantastic way to celebrate the coming of winter and, of course, to remember, remember the 5^th of November…. not to mention homage to the genius behind V for Vendetta!

For those of you who don’t climb or boulder Heather Hat is giant boulder that has a covering of heather. It juts out at a rough 30 degree angle making it the perfect place for a BBQ, be it rain or shine. It also makes it the perfect place for a boulder. But beware, bring a bouldering mat if you do plan to give it a go as a fall onto the sharps rocks below could result in a very sore lower back… I speak from experience!

Heather Hat is about 20 minutes drive outside of Fort William and a few minutes walk up from the car. It’s a bit of a marshy area so wear some good shoes and look out for those friendly frogs!

Despite the pelting rain and icy water temperatures the six brave ladies jumped into the boats and got motored across to the other side of Loch Linnhe to start their swim. The swim is 1.2 km from Treslaig over to the Lochaber Yacht Club and to be included in the race the swimmers are not allowed to wear a wetsuit.

Winning the race was Fiona Thompson with a time of 21.33, followed closely by Lochaber Mountain Rescue’s Emma Pearce. Shortly after there was the junior swim with only one junior brave enough to enter. Her swim was 400 meters. The Loch Linnhe swim is an annual event organised by Morag Hughes.

So if you find yourself inspired by the personal achievement of these women, or perhaps motivated to try and beat Fiona’s spectacular time, sign up for next year and hide that wetsuit away to avoid temptation!

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To enquire about video promotion for your business, please get in touch!

Made by Ezra Byrne & Katherine Owen of Newport Film School.

There are plenty facilities nearby Glen Nevis and Ben Nevis including hostels, camp sites and Bed & Breakfasts to rest your arching bones, all of which are only minutes from the town centre of Fort William.  If you plan to stay in Fort William itself then check out our list of Fort William Hotels nearby Ben Nevis.

To get a live stream of Ben Nevis, check out The Ben Nevis Webcam!

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Ben from Kate Owen on Vimeo.

The festivities kick off on Saturday morning when spectators will be treated to an abundance of two-wheeled talent. Once the riders have put their bikes through technical control they will be on hand to sign autographs, before practising in anticipation for Sunday’s main event. Saturday afternoon visitors will bare witness to the awesome finale of the much talked about Highland Challenge, in which ex World champions Dougie Lampkin and Takahisa Fujinami will go head to head in order to settle the score once and for all.

In addition to this, World famous Steve ‘Mr Showtime’ Colley will perform his unique display of trials based tricks. Ex British Trials Champion Steve Saunders will also be in attendance with his distinguished training school, passing on some of his vast knowledge to the next generation of riders. The day will come to a close with a true clash of the titans as Colley and Saunders do battle once again in an unmissable event billed as Steve vs Steve.

Sunday morning will mark the start of the championship action proper as over fifty riders from all over the World will compete on the mountain course. Keeping up with the action could not be easier with a group of seven sections located close to the paddock and three man-made hazards actually at the start / finish area. The gondola will whisk spectators up the mountain to enjoy four more hazards, which are set in one of the most stunning locations on the planet and all within a short walk of the top station, which boasts its own restaurant and play area.

All in all it promises to be a great weekend for all the family!

Find out more about the trials world championship event here, with travel directions to the event.

There are plenty facilities nearby Nevis Range including hotels,  hostels, self catering and Bed & Breakfasts, all of which are only minutes from the town centre of Fort William.  For eating and entertainment take a look at the selection of pubs and restaurants in Fort William too. Of course there’s plenty more activities in Fort William to experience, and what better way to see more of the area that with a personalised guided tour of Lochaber!

Here’s a video from last year’s event to give you a flavour of what to expect!

Whilst advance tickets have now closed, tickets will be available on the gate throughout Saturday and Sunday. For further information please visit www.ukworldtrial.com or call the event hotline on 0845 643 6756.

There are around 100,000 ascents of Ben Nevis each year with the majority of tourists using the walking route accessible via lower Glen Nevis. This track was created in 1883 at the same time as the observatory and is more commonly referred to as the ‘Pony Track’. The track goes right to the summit through a series of windy paths up the western face, most climbers tend to use the Allt a’ Mhuilinn path which leads to the cliffs which is accessible via the ‘North Face Car park’ in Torlundy along the A82 before the turn off for Nevis Range.

Whichever route you decide to take be sure to wear the right gear!!! Kit up for the mountain with its snowy peak, changeable weather and unforgiving winds or you’ll find yourself being carried off by one of the friendly faces of the the busiest Mountain Rescue Team in the UK. The inexperienced walker can expect to see the summit in between 4 and 6 hours with the sure footed veterans hitting the top in under 3, but however long it takes you the views from the top will make it all worthwhile!!!

If you like your history the first recorded ascent of Ben Nevis was made on the 17th of August 1771 but James Robertson, a botanist from Edinburgh, who was in the region to collecting botanical specimens. Also the first record for fastest time up and down the Ben was set in 1895 by William Swan, a local hairdresser who ran to the summit and back in 2 hours 41 minutes!

There are plenty facilities nearby Glen Nevis and Ben Nevis including hostels, camp sites and Bed & Breakfasts to rest your arching bones, all of which are only minutes from the town centre of Fort William.  If you plan to stay in Fort William itself then check out our list of Fort William Hotels nearby Ben Nevis.

Interesting facts:

On 17th May 2006 a piano that had been buried under one of the cairns on the peak was uncovered by the John Muir Trust which owns much of the mountain. The piano is thought to have been shouldered to the top for charity by removal men from Dundee some 20 years earlier.

To get a live stream of Ben Nevis, check out The Ben Nevis Webcam!

If you’re planning a trip to Fort William to do the Glen Nevis River Race next time round, check out our local list of Fort William Hotels, Bed & Breakfasts, Self Catering Accommodation and Laterooms offers.