Get active. Pump adrenalin. Live It. Actually, there’s more to the activities to be enjoyed in Fort William and Lochaber than the ones that induce brown-drenalin. Keep in mind however if you do prefer a more sedate outdoor experience prepare to do battle with the Heeland Midge. The solution? Whisky, of course.

Bay of the Flies (Sailean nan Cuileag), Ardnamurchan

The bay of the flies is a natural bay between Strontian and Acharacle on the Ardnamurchan peninsula. There is a woodland walk of around half a mile that goes from the car park just off the A861 to the bay. Look out for the several wooden toadstools carved and placed along the walk!  

Bay of the Flies (Sailean nan Cuileag), Ardnamurchan

The bay of the flies is a natural bay between Strontian and Acharacle on the Ardnamurchan peninsula. There is a woodland walk of around half a mile that goes from the car park just off the A861 to the bay. Look out for the several wooden toadstools carved and placed along the walk!  

The Scottish Six Days Trial – The Countdown Begins

dougie-lampkin

With months still to go until the start of the 2012 London Olympic Games, Scotland can look forward to the much more imminent homecoming of a world-famous sporting event of a different kind. From 4th to 12th May 2012, nearly 300 adrenaline-seeking competitors and hoards of spectators from around the globe will flock to the Scottish Highlands for the annual extreme motorcycle-sporting holiday, the Scottish Six Days Trial (SSDT). 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 … Read more

Relentless 24

thumb

It has come ‘round to that rainy, windy, snowless but still pretty cold time of year but that didn’t stop more than 400 cyclists from around Scotland showing up for the NiteRider Relentless 24 Cycling Marathon organised by No Fuss Events. The event started at Nevis Range near Fort William and the track ran through the Witch’s Trails and part of the World Championship course. Some of the riders were solo and some of them in teams of two, three, or four. The main aim of No Fuss Events is to focus on the fun of participation rather than on competition. This participation includes the long hours endured by the marshals who worked for the entire 24 hours with minimal … Read more

[VIDEO] Kingairloch Highland Estate

Kingairloch Highland Estate

Here’s a beautiful short film made by the lovely chaps at Linnhe Creative exploring the natural beauty of Kingairloch Highland Estate, their self catering accommodation and their fabulous Boathouse Restaurant, home to some of finest seafood and venison you’ll ever eat! “Kingairloch is a 14,000 acre Highland Estate located on the Morvern Peninsula in an unspoilt area of beauty on the West Coast of Scotland lying on the banks of Loch Linnhe. Kingairloch offers an enviable location where the mountains meet the sea creating some of the most stunning landscapes, whatever the weather may bring. The estate is also home to a wide and diverse wildlife population from the Eagles of the sky to the Red Deer grazing the hills below. … Read more

The Last Day of Summer

Headline-Image-web

In celebration of the last days of summer (i.e. the near arrival of snow) a few of us kids went up to Heather Hat in Glen Nevis and did some bouldering while BBQ-ing up some burgers, reggae reggae style of course. 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 … Read more

Loch Linnhe Swim 2011

Headline-2-960

Sunday, the 18th of September ended up being the perfect day for a swim for six local women and one junior for the annual Loch Linnhe Swim in Fort William, organised by English Channel swimmer Morag Hughes. 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 … Read more

[TOP 5] Top 5 Tours of The Scottish Highlands & Islands

glen-etive-scottish-highlands

Private 1 Day Tours of the Scottish Highlands. Fort William & Glenfinnan Our first visit on this local Highland Tour has to be Glen Nevis, nestling beneath the highest mountain in Britain, Ben Nevis. Glen Nevis is one of the most scenic glens in the Highlands, and is where many films, including Rob Roy, Highlander, Braveheart and Harry Potter have been made.  Just outside Fort William, we visit our very own 13th century Inverlochy Castle, and optionally the Ben Nevis distillery or the mountain cable car at the Nevis Range, on the way to the village of Spean Bridge.  Just beyond Spean Bridge is the evocative Commando Monument, with magnificent panoramic views of the Nevis Mountain range. Read more. Isle of … Read more

[VIDEO] Ben Nevis – A Documentary

View from the summit of Ben Nevis

A beautiful short film about some of the people who have made their life around Ben Nevis in Fort William, Lochaber.  Keep your eyes peeled for lovely Postie “a couple of tiddlers for you” Jim! 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! Please share this blog with your friends! Ben from Kate Owen on Vimeo.

SPEA FIM Fort William Trial World Championship 2011

Spea FIM Trials Fort William

Tommorrow the World’s greatest riders and their respective teams will arrive at Nevis Range, Fort William – Scotland for the sixth round of the 2011 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship. This weekend marks the second consecutive year that Nevis Range has hosted a leg of the World series and if the 2010 UK World Trial was anything to go by, then this year’s event promises to be one not to be missed. 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 … Read more