About Lochaber Blog » outdoor activities

Bay of the Flies (Sailean nan Cuileag), Ardnamurchan

abouthighlands — Sun, 13 May 2012 10:37:20 +0000

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!

Spring = Sun, Sea, Sand, Stars… and Snow?!

Ciera Harvey — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 14:07:50 +0000

Spring in Lochaber kicked off last week with perfect BBQ weather, road trips down to the Morar beach in Arisaig, and stargazing atop Cow Hill overlooking Lochaber. It’s no mystery that it’s been a rather short winter, something that some may mourn and others may rejoice. You wouldn’t guess it now, however, with that light snow dusting atop Nevis Range but spring is definitely on its way. So get your bikes ready and your walking shoes on. For all the Romantics in Lochaber, it was William Shakespeare who said “April hath put a spirit of youth in everything”. For all you socialites out there, it was Robin Williams who said “Spring is Nature’s way of saying ‘Let’s Party’”. So get your Spring Fever on!!!

Relentless 24

Ciera Harvey — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 14:06:31 +0000

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 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.

Loch Linnhe Swim 2011

Ciera Harvey — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 10:24:59 +0000

Sunday, the 18^th 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 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!

[VIDEO] The Glen Nevis River Race 2011

abouthighlands — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 13:08:09 +0000

“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 time round, check out our local list of Fort William Hotels, Bed & Breakfasts, Self Catering Accommodation and Laterooms offers.