The Inchree Blog

Fort William Mountain Festival 2008

For one week in February, Fort William will once again host a multitude of the best films, speakers, workshops & exhibitions on all things outdoors. Fort William Mountain Festival is now in its 5th year, and is firmly established as one of the countries best festivals on celebrating outdoor sport & culture. 

Beginning on Friday 15th of February, the festival's final day is on Saturday 23rd Fort William. Put it in your diary now! See Festival Website for more info. Inchree Centre is once again pleased to be a supporting sponsor of the event.

Photography Courses with Colin Prior

Colin Prior's name is synomous with Scottish & Global wild landscapes - his breathtaking photographic images, captured throughout the seasons, promote the raw beauty of the Highlands and have established him as the country's leading landscape photographer.

Now photographers looking to improve their skills, can benefit first-hand from this knowledge by booking onto one of his photography school courses.

I recently spend 5 days with 6 other enthusiasts in the North-west Highlands doing just this. Each day we toured the wild & ancient landscape of Assynt & Sutherland, catching the very best of the Autumn colours under Colin's expert eye, & visiting the best viewpoints Suitable for all levels of experience, the course's practical activities are complimented by daily tutorials from him on how to take the perfect image.

Whatever your degree of photography expertise, you'll come away feeling that your hobby skills have been 're-born' to an extent. Whilst advice on the technical aspects is always available, you'll learn as much about the 'art' side, such as image composition and the effect of light on the landscape.

Visit Colin Prior's Photography School Website for details on his 2008 courses throughout the Highlands. Tariffs include high-quality guest-house accommodation & full-board meals. Combined with the level of tuition provided, it's excellent value-for-money. 

Devil o' the Highlands

Had a short jaunt out today to lend a hand with some Army friends who are doing leg 2 of a Highland "Ultramarathon Triple Challenge". Having hobbled round the 53 mile Highland Fling in May, they set off from Tyndrum at 6am this morning on the annual Devil o' the Highlands 43 mile footrace, which finishes in Fort William within a 12 hr time limit. Due to Lochaber being Mediterranean like in climate today touching 28 centigrade at times, their 5mph progress to Kinlochleven turned to 3mph for the last 15 miles to Fort William.

The 3 lads are doing the full West HIghland Way 95 mile race on 23 June - they have a time limit of 35 hours. The races are being done to raise funds for the ex-services mental welfare charity Combat Stress. You can read more about this mad challenge at www.justgiving.com/whwrace07

Fort William Mountain Festival, 16th February to 3rd March

   Now in its 4th year, and firmly established as one of the UK's leading mountain festivals, the Fort William Mountain Festival 2007 will feature a packed schedule of lectures, films, workshops, exhibitions, plays, music and much more.

The diversity of next year's programme reflects the Highland Year of Culture 2007, where the arts will mix with the outdoors. Co-inciding with a traditionally reliable period for climbing conditions, it means you'll can have some memorable days & evenings over the half-term break.

At Inchree we've still got some chalet and hostel accommodation available over the 2 weeks, as well as spanking new twin & double rooms opening on the 9th of February in our Lodge. Each room is well fitted out & has it's own toilet, shower and wash-basin adjoining. Tariffs begin from £16 per person per night, which includes a continental breakfast, self-service in the Lodge kitchen. (where you can self-cater as well.)

You can also benefit from a 10% discount on Festival tickets if you stay with us - to claim this, just let us know your intention to purchase tickets. We'll give you a promotional code to enter on the Festival website @ www.mountainfilmfestival.co.uk for booking tickets on-line. At the checkout the 10% discount will automatically be added. See you there! 

Fort William Mountain Festival 2007 - Programme Launch at Inchree

For 16 days this February, the Lochaber area plays host to a celebration of mountain culture....

Now in its 4th year, and firmly established as one of the UK's leading mountain festivals, the Fort William Mountain Festival 2007 will feature a packed schedule of lectures, films, workshops, exhibitions, plays, music and much more. The diversity of next year's programme reflects the Highland Year of Culture 2007, where the arts will mix with the outdoors. Co-inciding with a tradionally reliable period for climbing conditions, it means you'll have some great days & evenings over the half-term break.

The official programme launch was held today at Inchree Centre, where both local and national press were treated to what's in store, and afterwards to a spot of high-jinks at the Inchree Waterfalls for some memorable photo-shots! Check out the Festival Website for the full programme so you can start planning your time off...

Inchree Centre are pleased to again be a supporting sponsor to the Festival - we've got hostel & chalet accommodation still available over the Festival period, as well as spanking new twin & double ensuite rooms in the extension to our Inchree Lodge. Tariffs here from £16 per person per night, which includes breakfast. Give us a bell on 01855 821287 or e-mail to book.

 

Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team Seeks New Premises

Lochaber MRT has plans to construct a new headquarters in Fort William to ensure the team has the base facilities necessary from which to operate from in the 21st century.

Currently, the team work from a garage at the back of Fort William Police Station - an inadequate arrangement for the UK's busiest mountain rescue team.

Check out their website for the full story, where you can also contribute by donating on-line.

Mountain-biking World Finals at Nevis Range, September 3rd - 9th 2007

Nevis Range, a mountain resort complex near Fort William, will be hosting the most prestigious world mountain-biking event outside of the Olympics next year.

Nevis Range has firmly established itself as an international mountain-biking venue, having held World Cup stages every year since 2003.

Fantastic for the area it undoubtably is, with 700 competitors and up to 20,000 spectators expected in 2007 my only concern is lack of accommodation. The previous World Cup championships held at Nevis Range always fill all available beds in Lochaber. (The 2006 world cup event in June attracted approx. 14,000 visitors, with many competitors and spectators having to stay outwith the area.)

We're already getting bookings for 2007- so while it's still be a year away, if you're sure about coming then best get your accommodation booked now!

Inchree is only a 20 minute drive from Nevis Range. You can view all latest news and book tickets on-line at the Fort William World Cup website.

Where to get Web Info on Mountain Weather, Avalanche, Climbing, Skiing & Canoeing Conditions This Winter

Bookmark this page for all the websites you need for finding conditions on the above in the Western Highlands.

If you're coming up to Inchree to climb or ski this winter, you can also give me a bell on 01855 821287 or 0772 0068111 for on-the-spot info on conditions. If I haven't been out myself to get an idea, it's likely I'll have been talking to someone who has!

Lochaber - Outdoor Capital of the UK

The Outdoor Capital is a local community company formed in February 2003 and it's vision is: To establish and maintain Fort William and Lochaber as the UK's foremost destination for outdoor pursuits and adventure tourism in an exceptional natural environment. It's aim is to attract those interested in outdoor pursuits, adventure tourism and those who just want to do 'something' out of doors.

The range of outdoor activities available in the Lochaber is without doubt, unrivalled in the UK. However It's probably fair to say that in the past, the promotion of this to the outside world could have been more co-ordinated - OCUK now fills that gap. Ultimately the aim is to have the Fort William area spoken about and regarded with the same reverence as other global outdoor destinations, such as Chamonix in the French Alps and Queenstown in New Zealand.

Inchree Centre supports this initiative by being a business member - Check out the Outdoor Capital's website for more info.

Over the Sea to Skye....

If you're planning to visit The Isle of Skye this summer on your Highland holiday, then we recommend going at least one way there or back via the Glenelg to Kylerhea ferry.

This little car ferry (holds up to 6 cars.) is privately-owned, and ploughs it's way across the narrows of Kyle Rhea every 15 - 30 minutes from Easter to end of September. What's so unique about it is that it's the last manually-operated turntable ferry still afloat today.

To get to Glenelg, you drive northwards on the A87 as if you're going to the Skye Bridge. Instead of going all the way to Kyle of Lochalsh, (where you cross on the bridge.) you turn off the A87 at Shiel Bridge, 20 miles before. The ferry is signposted off the road here also. The minor road from here winds through some spectacular mountain scenery to a high point of 360 metres, before dropping down to the picturesque little village of Glenelg. View a map here of the route.

The ferry costs £8.50 one-way - although the bridge is free to cross now, going via the Glenelg Ferry is a far superior way of getting to Skye, plus you're helping support a private operator who offers a great service.

Last tip - the ferry is definitely operating up to the end of September 2006 - it may operate throughout October as well, but this still has to be confirmed. If you're planning to go to Skye that month, then please 'phone the ferry owners beforehand to confirm if it's still going or not. Contact details on the Skye Ferry's website.