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 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 hours of sleep. The photos I’ve got here have some long exposures taken of the cyclists flying by one of the marshal stations in the late hours of the night. The cyclists had nothing but their head torches to light their way and the glint of the marshal station fire to guide their progress…. and also the oddly high levels of enthusiasm from the marshals at 2am to motivate their energy.

Find out more about Nevis Range, including their Winter Sports, World Class Mountain Biking  and what’s nearby 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.

“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.

As the nights start to draw in and Jack Frost starts to make an appearance, Winter is a wonderful time to stay at Kingairloch. With a dusting of snow and sightings of red deer on the lawn in front of your cottage, what could be a better sight? To book your Winter break, get in touch!”

Source: www.kingairloch.co.uk

If you’re interested in a promotional film for your business, whatever your budget, get in touch with Linnhe Creative.

Fort William, Glen Nevis and Ben Nevis are within a couple of hours drive of Kingairloch If visiting these areas be sure to check out our full list of Fort William accommodation including hostels, camp sites and Bed & Breakfasts.  You can also check out our special offers section to grab a bargain!

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

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!

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 Skye

We begin our Day Tour from Fort William early today as we travel to Glenfinnan – Bonnie Prince Charlie and Harry Potter country - onto Lochailort, Arisaig and Morar, with magnificent views of the Inner Isle’s  of Eigg and Rum as we make our way to the fishing port of Mallaig, where we board the car ferry to the Isle of Skye.  On the Isle of Skye you can visit the Clan Donald Heritage and visitor Centre, with the ruins of Armadale Castle and wonderfull landscaped Gardens, before moving on to the small village of Broadford.  We travel across the island, passing the only whisky distillery on the island, the renowned Talisker Distillery (option) on the way to the impressive Dunvegan Castle, home of the Clan McLeod. Read more.

Great Glen & Inverness

Leaving Fort William on this day tour, we pass through Spean Bridge, Clan Lands and Commando country and into the Great Glen, carved out by the last Ice Age 10,000 years ago.  Where the mountains meet the three lochs, each loch completely different to the others.  Our journey takes us alongside Loch Lochy, to the place of (The Battle of the Shirts), and onto Loch Oich (The Well of the Seven Heads) smallest of the three lochs.  We travel to Invergarry, following and crossing the Caledonian Canal as we go,and on to Fort Augustus, where we have our first sighting of the great Loch Ness. Read more.

Oban, Inverary & Glencoe

This is a very scenic tour, leaving Fort William and heading south to Ballachulish with its historic slate quarry, surrounded by truly breathtaking scenery and passing the site of the Appin Murder, on which Robert Louis Stevenson’s ‘Kidnapped’ was based.  Travelling along the coast through Appin and Duror we come to the magnificent Castle Stalker, built on its own island. We then journey to the mighty Dunstaffnage Castle,  arriving around mid-morning in the picturesque town of Oban, Gateway to the Isles.Read more.

Mull & Iona

An early start today on this Highland Tour as we travel South West from Fort William and take you across three Island ferries, through majestic glens and by remote lochs to the Isle of Mull and Iona.   We journey through Glen Tarbert with Loch Sunart at it’s head and onto Lochaline, our second ferry crossing. From here we see our first sighting of the Isle of Mull. On the Island we can vist the mighty Duart Castle, seat of the Clan McLean, standing guard on the entrance to the Sound of Mull and Loch Linnhe.  We travel the length of the island  with the scenery forever changing, to the Island of Iona, with its Columban Abbey and ruins, a spiritual place for people to come to from all over the world.  Read more.

For more information on bespoke private tours of the Highlands of Scotland visit 1 Day Tours.

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!

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.