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

[PHOTOS] Ben Nevis Hike – The UK’s Highest Mountain (Fort William)

The Summit of Ben Nevis - The UK's Highest Mountain

As most of you will know Ben Nevis is the tallest mountain in the UK towering at a colossal 4406ft or 1344m. Due to its height and enormous beauty it is one of the most popular yet dangerous places in Scotland, for example in 1999 saw 41 rescues including 4 fatalities. 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 … Read more

[VIDEO] The Glen Nevis River Race 2011

The Glen Nevis River Race

“The Glen Nevis River Race is an extreme challenge involving participants navigating through the icy waters of a two-mile stretch of the River Nevis on an air-bed (Lilo). The intrepid adventurers begin by launching themselves off a small ledge on a rock face, plunging into the freezing waters of the River Nevis below. The rules are clear participants have to follow the deepest course of the river through rocks and rapids, whilst negotiating major obstacles like the Gurgling Gorge, Dead Dog Pool, the Leg Breaker and the Lower Falls Leap; finishing in the calmer waters further down the glen.”  Click here for more information. If you’re planning a trip to Fort William to do the Glen Nevis River Race next … Read more

[PHOTOS] Boats of Fort William & Lochaber

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What comes to mind when you think of the West Coast of Scotland?! Lots of things associated with fishing, water and outdoor activities etc. Before the days of planes, trains, and automobiles, the British Waterways of Scotland were like our modern day motorways.  I thought it would be a good idea to do a blog in celebration of boats – of all sizes as you’ll see – that have been spotted in Lochaber and Fort Wiliam over the last two weeks. The relationship between boat and crew is something I tried to capture. There was a dog named Rhia who got very protective of her boat and captain, Gail. However, she did calm down and I was invited onto the boat … Read more

[PHOTOS] June! (around Morar, Mallaig and Fort William)

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June. I think it’s my favourite month. It’s the month of the summer solstice so it stays light all hours of the night. The heather blooms across the hills in Lochaber, turning them a lovely purple. The sun shines and creates a near Mediterranean heat (without wind chill) flocking people to places like the Silver Sands of Morar, near Arisaig. It’s also the month I passed my driving test (20th of June to be very exact). So what did I do on the first drive of freedom?! Firstly, I drove my parents to the Achintee Inn at the foot of Ben Nevis for a congratulatory cup of tea and slice of pie. Secondly, I took my camera and drove to … Read more

[VIDEO]Ben Nevis: A week in the life…

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A week in the life of the UK’s Highest Mountain, Ben Nevis! We used The Ben Nevis Webcam to put together a short time-lapse film of a week in the life of Fort William and Ben Nevis.  Keep your eye out for the fastest sheep you’ve ever seen..! As most of you will know Ben Nevis is the tallest mountain in the UK towering at a colossal 4406ft or 1344m. Due to its height and enormous beauty it is one of the most popular yet dangerous places in Scotland, for example in 1999 saw 41 rescues including 4 fatalities. There are around 100,000 ascents of Ben Nevis each year with the majority of tourists using the walking route accessible via lower Glen … Read more

[PHOTOS] Storm & Sunset in Fort William, Lochaber

Sunset Fort Wiliam

Horizontal rain. Gail force winds. Nearly being blown off the pavement walking to work. Waterproofed clothing head to toe (only making you more prone to being airborne during high gusts of wind). Winning or losing bets on whether there was going to be a power cut. Sound familiar? If you were in Fort William, or anywhere else along the West Coast of Scotland during the third week of May, then it should. For some it was a few days spent indoors with a cup of hot tea and a good book, watching from double paned windows while stairwells and waterfalls became synonymous. For others it was a day out to experience Mother Nature’s version of a good time. Here are … Read more

Day out on Cow Hill, Glen Nevis and Fort William [PHOTOS]

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Here’s a few photos from a great day out on the Cow Hill There’s a path linking Fort William and its communities with Glen Nevis. There are views at several points, looking down on Fort William, up onto Ben Nevis and out along Loch Eil towards Glenfinnan. It’s really popular with locals who can walk into town, onto Cow Hill or into Glen Nevis, why not try it yourself? Find out more on the Forestry Commission’s website. Photos copyright and courtesy of Ciera Harvey

[VIDEO] UCI Mountain Bike World Cup Fort William 2011

UCI Mountain Bike World Cup Fort William 2011

Well that’s the thrills and spills of the MTB World Cup in Fort William over for another year! 300 riders from over 25 countries took to the track cheered on by around 20,000 fans who flocked to Lochaber  to soak up the action and the occasional ray of sunshine! The great news is the event, which generates around £2.5 million for the local economy, will return to Fort William until at least 2013 thanks to a new agreement UCI has confirmed with the fantastic Nevis Range.  For more information on this story read this. We were there having a great time and felt sorry for all you who couldn’t make it, so we quickly threw together a wee video of a … Read more

Fort William, Glencoe & Lochaber: In The Movies! (Part 1)

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Well it’s no secret how beautiful the Highlands of Scotland are, in particular Glencoe and Glen Nevis near Fort William and Ben Nevis offers some truly stunning scenery which picks you up by the scruff of the neck and says “Look!  Just look how beautiful I am!” before dropping you down in The Grog & Gruel for a pint and a dram.  Of course this fact has been long recognised by the international film industry who have chosen Lochaber and surrounding areas time and time again for some memorable moments on the silver screen.  So we thought over the coming weeks we’d give you a wee rundown of some of the most famous and some not so famous (which even … Read more