A new Scottish campaign is encouraging more people to “connect to your adventure”. The Outdoor Capital of the UK hopes to attract more adventurous tourists to come to the Highlands.
Visitors to the Fort William and Lochaber area can share their adventures online with the aim of inspiring others to enjoy their own adventure.
Here are 10 great ways to connect to your adventure in the Outdoor Capital of the UK.
Filming a Tree Adventure at Nevis Range.
1 Tree Adventures
Tree Adventure at Nevis Range offers a series of fun and exhilarating ropes courses built in the forest for all ages and abilities.
You can tackle the Barn Owl, Red Fox and Wildcat, before testing your nerve on the Swoop. There is a smaller Squirrel course for little adventurers.
Each course comprises a series of obstacles including ladders, rope bridges and balance beams as well as a 100m zip wire.
See Nevis Range.
Funkyakking.
2 White Water Funyakking
Funyakking is a great fun alternative to white water rafting. It’s described as “similar to white water canoeing but in a more stable and forgiving boat”.
Pairs of paddlers navigate a river and rapids in an inflatable craft. The locations can be chosen to suit a range of ages and experience with most of the trips taking place near Fort William on the River Oich.
See Active Highs.
Can you spot a red squirrel?
3 Spot Scotland’s Big 5
Scotland’s big five of golden eagle, red deer, red squirrel, otter and harbour seal can all be found within 25 miles of Fort William.
Join a Wild West Safari, including a two-hour cruise on Loch Shiel, a mini bus drive on the Ardnamurchan peninsula and a picnic lunch, for the chance to spot all of them in one day.
4 Cruise Loch Linnhe
Enjoy a fantastic wildlife cruise adventure below the slopes of Ben Nevis, Britain’s tallest mountain, on board the historic vessel, The Souter’s Lass.
The cruise heads along Loch Linnhe where you will enjoy the fabulous scenery of Lochaber and learn from the skipper about the local wildlife and history.
There are three cruises per day, departing from Fort William Town Pier, between March and October.
See www.crannog.net
5 Downhill Mountain Biking
There are two great routes to try at Glencoe Mountain resort. The Black Route is a technical downhill trail with lots of rocks, hairpins, berms and drops. The red Route is a more flowing track with uplift access from the chairlift.
Take your own bikes or hire at www.glencoemountain.co.uk
Beautiful Bunacaimb Beach, Arisaig.
6 Camping by the beach in Arisaig
Enjoy the fantastic scenery and peace and quiet of a west coast camping trip. The multi-award winning Sunnyside Croft Touring and Camping Site is ideally located on a magnificent coastline that boasts white sandy beaches.
7 Dinghy Sailing
Embark on a day or half-day dinghy adventure with Snowgoose Mountain Centre on Loch Linnhe. The sessions are ideal for those who are new to the activity and you will learn how to sail in tidal waters. Sailors will also visit a number of small islands in the 16ft four-person Devon Yawls.
If you have some sailing experience, why not book a course to develop your crewing and helming skills? See www.highland-mountain-guides.co.uk.
8 Tubing at Glencoe
Summer tubing at Glencoe Mountain resort is great fun for all ages, including adults and children. The facility is open at weekends, from 10am to 5pm from April to October and every day from June 28 to September 3.
See www.glencoemountain.co.uk/tubing/
Clay shooting with Crombie.
9 Clay Shooting Adventure
Test your aim during an exciting clay pigeon shooting experience at one of the Crombie Clay Shooting Target Centres at Brackletter, near Fort William, Ardtornish Estate or Ardnamurchan Estate.
The activity provider also offers sessions in air rifles, archery, crossbows, tomahawk throwing and sling shots for complete beginners to enthusiasts and from age eight upwards.
10 Cruise the Caledonian Canal
Take a fantastic six-day cruise along the length of the Caledonian Canal on a refurbished barge. While cruising, guests can take part in a range of nearby activities, such as walking, canoeing, cycling and sailing.
After each activity you return to the comforts of your sailing hotel with freshly meals prepared and en-suite accommodation.
See www.caledonian-discovery.co.uk
Read the article in the Sunday Mail.
