The mountain grandeur will take your breath away, while ruined castles, islands, and places associated with Bonnie Prince Charlie all add a romantic dimension.
Fort William promotes itself as ‘the Outdoor Capital of the UK’ and the whole region offers an excellent range of activities all set amid the dramatic landscapes of Lochaber.
Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain at 1343m, dominates the town of Fort William. From Achintee, in Glen Nevis, a footpath zigzags its way up the steep slopes to the summit.
Winter Sports
One of Scotland’s top winter sports destinations, Nevis Range, with its Gondola uplift and many runs, offers excellent skiing and snowboarding. The north face of Ben Nevis is well known for its ice climbing. If the weather is not right try The Ice Factor at Kinlochleven. Here you’ll find the biggest indoor ice climbing facility in the world plus the UK’s largest rock climbing wall.
This is one of the best areas in Britain for hill walking and climbing. Ben Nevis and the peaks of Glen Coe are world famous, but there are many other ranges, as well as lower-level forest trails and the Great Glen Way.
Each of the Small Isles has its own personality, from the quiet pastoral air of Muck to the rugged wilderness of Rum. But they all have good ferry and cruise links from the mainland.
Mountain Biking
Mountain biking enthusiasts have superb choice here. Britain’s longest downhill track 650m descent at Nevis Range, to the east of Fort William, attracts bikers of all standards, except the faint-hearted. The Mountain Biking World Cup has been held here. The Leanachan Forest, 3 miles north east of Fort William, has biking trails and also offers cycle orienteering.
Adventure
Paragliding and canyoning are examples of the more unusual activities also available in the area. Paragliding takes place at Nevis Range. Canyoning involves abseiling, swimming and sliding through the rocky watercourse on the way downstream and uses the Inchree Waterfalls in Glen Nevis.
