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Sightseeing - Activities - Events in Lochaber

Ben Nevis photo Lochan Cottage is the perfect setting for enjoying a short break or for touring the Highlands.
Close by you can visit the Ben Nevis Distillery, Neptune's Staircase on the Caledonian Canal, the Treasures of the Earth and the local museum with its exhibitions on Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobite Rebellion. Why not take the gondola up into the Nevis mountain range or go on a boat trip from Fort William to see the seals?
There's so much to see and do, we hardly know where to start!
There are lots of opportunities for day trips too (many of these are possible using public transport):
  • Take the Road to the Isles along a spectacular coastline to see the Glenfinnan Monument, the Silver Sands of Morar and the Small Isles.
  • Drive off the beaten track into Moidart and discover the ruins of ancient Castle Tioram.
  • Head eastwards to Loch Ness, Inverness and Culloden Battlefield.
  • Visit picturesque Eilean Donan Castle on the way to the Isle of Skye.
  • Explore the magnificent scenery of haunting Glencoe and Rannoch Moor.
  • Travel down the coast past Castle Stalker to Oban and the ferry to the Isle of Mull.
  • Go inland to Loch Laggan and 'Monarch of the Glen' country.
Uruqhart Castle Loch Ness photo
filming in Glencoe for Harry Potter The scenery of Lochaber has often been seen on the big screen.
The area has been used for locations of numerous movies - most recently the first two Harry Potter films - where the Quidditch matches were filmed against the background of Glen Nevis (which was also used for Braveheart, Rob Roy and Highlander III). Special effects were used to show Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry sitting on a ridge of Ben Nevis. The Glenfinnan viaduct and station appeared with Hogwarts Express showing the spectacular Road to the Isles along the famous West Highland Line. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban has recently been filmed at Glen Coe (see photo).
Highland locations used for Rob Roy and Braveheart also included Loch Arkaig, Loch Morar, Rannoch Moor, Loch Leven and Glencoe. Castle Tioram appeared in Rob Roy and the Highlander TV series.
Fort William & Lochaber - 'Outdoor Capital of the UK'

  • Hillwalking and forest rambles
  • Cycling and mountain biking
  • Mountaineering and skiing at the Nevis Range and Glen Coe
  • Watersports such as sailing, windsurfing and canoeing
  • Fishing (loch, river and sea)
  • Horse Riding at Fort William and Spean Bridge
  • Boat Trips from Fort William, Glenfinnan, Arisaig, Mallaig
  • 10-pin bowling at Nevis Centre in Fort William
  • Climbing wall, swimming pool, sauna, squash courts Lochaber Leisure Centre in Fort William
  • The Ice Factor at Kinlochleven - a huge indoor climbing centre with the biggest indoor ice climbing facility in the world, plus a rock climbing wall, Children's Activity Zone, sauna, steam room, plunge pool and hot tub.
  • Vertical Descents has an adventure activity centre at Onich offering canyoning, white water rafting, paint balling, funyakking, abseiling, etc.
  • Adventure Nevis offer experienced qualified Mountain Leaders specialising in Ben Nevis ascents in both summer and winter
Golf

Scotland is known as the 'home of golf' and the Highlands have a wide variety of excellent courses. The following can be found within a short drive of Lochan Cottage Guest House:

  • Fort William Golf Club - 18 holes, 5900 yards
    Overlooked by Ben Nevis.
  • Traigh Golf Course - 9 holes, 4912 yards
    Stunning coastal setting near Arisaig on the Road to the Isles.
  • Spean Bridge Golf Course - 9 holes, 4406 yards
    Views of the Ben Nevis mountain range and Commando Memorial.
  • Dragon's Tooth Golf Course - 9 holes, 5038
    A new course at Ballachulish.
  • Fort Augustus Golf Club - 18 holes, 5454 yards
    Near Loch Ness and the Caledonian Canal.
golfer

golf course
Photos courtesy of GolfHighland.com

A selection of Local Events happening in 2010

11 - 15 February Fort William Mountain Festival
18 April Lochaber Marathon, Ardgour
3 - 8 May Scottish Six Day Motorcycle Trials
9 - 15 May Loch Shiel Spring Festival
15 May 10 Under the Ben endurance race
5 - 6 June UCI Mountain Bike World Cup at Fort William
12 June Road to the Isles Agricultural Show, near Arisaig
25 - 27 June SPEA FIM Trial World Championship
3 July Highland Games at Invergarry
17 July Glen Nevis River Race
mid July Halfway Ben Nevis Hill Race
28 July Highland Games at Arisaig
31 July Lochaber Highland Games, Fort William
early August Highland Games for Mallaig & Morar
mid August Highland Games at Glenfinnan
late August Lochaber Agricultural Show, Torlundy
4 September Ben Nevis Race

Every Tuesday and Thursday from June to the end of August, the local High School Pipe Band plays in Fort William High Street at 7.30pm.

Take a trip on a steam train from Fort William to Mallaig and back along the scenic Road to the Isles. One of the Great Railway Journeys of the world. Departs from Fort William railway station at 10.20am. Monday - Friday between 17 May and 29 October 2010 and also Saturdays & Sundays between 26 June and 29 August 2010

There are also events happening outside the main tourist season
so why not take advantage of one of our Special Offers
and visit the Highlands for a short break?

Please feel free to contact us if you have any queries.

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