Outdoor activities in Fort William

Laser Clay Shooting   Fun! Skilled!  Addictive! The laser sport system uses real deactivated Berretta single trigger 12 Bore shotguns fitted with state of the art electronic gadgetry! The clays are released from a standard electronic trap and participants aim at them just as they would under normal clay pigeon shooting conditions, however when they pull the trigger, the gun fires an infra-red beam at the clay targets. This beam then bounces from the clay back to the electronic scoreboard which registers a “hit” or a “miss” on the scoreboard with a loud “bang” coming from the speakers. Whilst the guns are entirely safe, good gun protocol is always encouraged and there is also none of the painful “kickback” that you might experience from using real shotguns. One of the advantages of Laser Clay Pigeon shooting over standard Clay Pigeon shooting is that all participants (up to 5) can shoot at each clay at the same time, enabling all to an enjoyable activity shooting up to 80 clays in any one session. Even though it is not the same as the real thing, it is safe and good fun for all, and should anyone want to take it further Laser Clay shooting is an idea stepping stone to traditional Clay pigeon shooting.

From the aspiring novice to the more advanced mountaineer Snowgoose Mountain Centre offers the perfect introduction, course, mountain guiding or holiday of a lifetime. This is whether you want an introduction to rock climbing & abseiling, learn to lead on  rock, develop your navigational skills or tackle big mountaineering routes in summer or winter. Maybe you will want to extend your summer mountain activities into autumn and winter by getting to grip with the skills needed to take on winter walking, winter mountaineering then snow and ice climbing. Our aim is always to introduce  our clients to the  fundamental  hill and mountain skills or develop those they have already so that they can independently progress their mountaineering expertise through out the year from summer into winter mountaineering. • Winter Mountaineering and Ice Climbing Courses are run at this fantastic time of year in the Scottish Highlands by Snowgoose Mountain Centre when the hills and mountains are covered with snow and ice. Our skills based winter courses for climbing, mountaineering and guiding are delivered in the mountains around the Ben Nevis and Glencoe areas in a convenient location four  miles from Fort William. We deliver courses in basic ice axe & crampon techniques, avalanche awareness, through to advanced winter climbing courses. Complete winter novices are introduced to the basic winter walking skills needed to travel in the mountains of the Scottish Highlands safely in winter  giving a solid skills base. •  A wide range of mountain based skills coaching, courses, guiding & holidays are on offer throughout the spring, summer and early autumn suited to the needs of individuals, families, & groups. Our courses & holiday are led only by local, friendly , professionally qualified and experienced course leaders, instructors & guides based largely on “the Ben” Nevis, Glen Nevis, Glen Coe, Creag Meaghidh, Ardgour and Kintail areas. If you are new to mountain based activities and our area  then why not join a group or book a guide to do the ascent of the UK’s highest mountain – Ben Nevis. An iconic day out on the mountains – which ever way you do it. We cater from absolute beginners wanting a leisurely mountain walk to those requiring an in depth refresher before taking a qualification assessment. Our rock climbing courses provide a logical progression from indoor wall climbing to Classic Munro, Rock, Ridge mountain routes. Participants going on overseas, high altitude trekking holidays find that our courses – summer or winter – are an excellent value preparation for such expeditions. Snowgoose Mountain Centre is an AALS licensed centre (Adventure Activities Licensing Authority) and a DofE AAP (Approved Activity Provider) for Expeditions and Residentials.  John Cuthbertson holds the MIC (Mountain Instructors Certificate) which is the highest UK based mountain instructor's qualification. He is a also an Accredited Gold DofE Assessor for walking & paddling expeditions.

Learn to take better digital photographs on one of our photography courses. Digital photography is a fantastic, well-developed medium for capturing great photographs and video. Its never been easier to take good photos - with a little help and advice. I offer personal One-2-One photography courses, tuition and excursions in and around the Fort William and Ben Nevis area to anyone who wishes to learn more about their digital camera, and who wants to take better photographs. If your interest is in landscape photography or video; portrait photography or outdoor sports photography, I can help you get the best out of your camera. Each field trip can be tailored to suit individual needs. I can arrange 2-3 hour photography field trips for up to 3 persons. If you have a DSLR camera and a tripod, one of my short photography courses could be just for you. If you don't have a DSLR just yet, I can provide advice about these and offer you the chance to take photos with a Canon 5D and a variety of lenses and equipment. Photography Field Trip for 1 person: £85.00 Photography Field Trip for 2 persons: £150.00 Photography Field Trip for 3 persons: £195.00 During the photography field trip I will show you how to control camera aperture and shutter speeds; help you understand how to work with depth of field; understand working with different focal length lenses; show you how to improve photo composition; demonstrate how to tweak your photographs afterwards. I can provide Gift Vouchers if you would like to gift a Photography Field Trip for a friend or relative. If you would like to book B&B or self catering in a superb photo location, and at the same time as your field trip, I can provide this at our well established Woodside B&B Fort William. I can offer two ensuite bedrooms, a personalised breakfast of your choice and private, secluded parking - plus a view of Ben Nevis to die for...

Rockhopper Sea Kayaking is based near Fort William on the West Coast of Scotland. We offer half, full or multi-day kayak trips through some of the most spectacular coastal, mountain and island scenery in Scotland. This area is rich in wildlife and you may be lucky enough to encounter seals, dolphins, porpoise, otters, a huge variety of coastal birds or perhaps even the white tailed sea eagle. Whether new to the sport or an experienced sea kayaker, we will provide an unforgettable experience. Our Sea kayaks are long, stable and easy to control and we have large double kayaks available for youngsters or those who are a little apprehensive. All equipment is provided by us. Families, groups and individuals are all welcome. We also provide a canoe hire service and equipment.

Choosing a cycle tour is a unique (and we think the best!) way to discover Fort William, and the Highlands beyond. The Carter Company offers a stunning 8 night guided cycling holiday, with set departure dates, which starts and ends in Fort William. The Scottish Highlands are world renowned for their stunning scenery and the west coast, where this tour begins, features peaceful and idyllic lochs, majestic mountains in Ben Nevis, the dramatic Glencoe Pass, and a coastline dotted with a myriad of islands. The Outer Hebrides are some of the most remote, with astonishingly beautiful white sandy beaches and isolated dwellings. Linked by a string of ferry hops, the tour also featured the inner Hebridean island of Skye before returning to the mainland town of Fort William. You might think that, alas, this is not the place for gentle cycling. And you would be correct - but for the vehicle support we provide as part of this guided tour. We have created an itinerary where you can avoid cycling any big, or even medium, sized hills and any main roads. We are very pleased with the route we have designed and its close historical links with the infamous Bonnie Prince Charlie, its blend of castles, local crafts, fishing culture and seafood and its unsurpassed landscapes. We know that you will be pleased too - this is a unique experience not to be missed! On this tour, you will cycle with your Scottish host and guide who will share his local knowledge and make sure a fun time is had by all. Our driver will be sweeping your route and providing vehicle support along the way as well as fixing any bike problems and generally adding to the fun.

Fort William Golf Club is located just north of Fort William by the A82. This course lies under the shadow of Ben Nevis and is a challenging course with great views. Our 9 hole golf course will provide you with a great golfing experience below the highest mountain in the British Isles. You have a good clubhouse with bar and facilities, including club and trolly hire. Visitors are especially welcome and often play a round of golf with our locals.

The inaugural hill race on Beinn Resipol starts at Resipole Farm Holiday Park on the Ardnamurchan Peninsula on Saturday 19th September at 1.00pm. Details of how to take part can be found on the benresrace.wordpress.com website. The race sets off from Loch Sunart and meanders its way up and down the 845 m summit with a total distance of 7.3 miles. Enjoy stunning views of Lochs Shiel and Sunart, the Small Isles, Mull and Skye. Why not make a weekend of it and stay in the Resipole campsite. The campsite are holding the Resipole Fiddle Fest from 17-21 September so there will be a great buzz about the place.  Profits made from the race are going towards a local well-being and mental health charity, Ewen’s Room. Ewen’s Room works across the Ardnamurchan Peninsula to raise awareness of mental health challenges and brings together the community and people who may feel isolated. Entry:  Race HQ will be based in the Resipole campsite next to the start/finish of the race. You can enter the race now through Entry Central or on the day. Entries are £5. Entries are restricted to 100 places so please book online to avoid disappointment.

The Fort William Marathon is a new marathon for the Lochaber area. This new marathon is a multi-terrain route starting and finishing at Nevis Range. The course takes in the sights of Leanachan Forest, the old railway viaduct, General Wade's High Bridge, The Commando Memorial, Caledonian Canal, and of course Ben Nevis.

Holes: 9. Par: 68. SSS: 65. Length: 5038 Probably one of the most scenic golf courses in Scotland! In the heart of Glencoe, located not far from Ballachulish and about 12 miles south of Fort William, the Dragon's Tooth is a magnificent, woodland course set below a 3,000+ foot mountain. Hotels and excellent restaurants nearby. Golf Club hire available. We have an excellent Clubhouse and cafe operated by enthusiastic people. Visit Fort William also recommends Traigh Golf Course at Arisaig, a beautiful scenic course by the sea. There is also a good course just north of Fort William and at Spean Bridge.

GLENGARRY HIGHLAND GAMES usually the first Saturday in July - please confirm details with the organisers. Invergarry Shinty Field 1pm-5pm A traditional Highland Games with Heavy, Track and Field events, Hill Race and childrens races. Tug'o'war, Highland Dancing and the Lochaber Pipe Band. Childrens Mini Games, Pet Dog Show and many trade/ side stalls and attractions. Adult £5.00 Child 50p Concessions £2.00 FREE PARKING Contact; Mrs Alison Donald 01809 511260 [email protected] The Glengarry Highland Games has history going back to the events held by the 15th Chieftain of the Clan MacDonnell in the late 18th and early 19th century. He was the last of the traditional Chieftains before the Estate was sold to the Ellice family and there is evidence of the Games continuing till after the second World War in various locations round Invergarry. These early Games placed great emphasis on feats of strength, and one event provoked criticism when contestants had to tear the limbs off a dead cow! The modern Games date from 1972 and are forever linked with the names of Fred MacAllan, Alistair and Sandy MacRae, Jimmy Paterson and others who revived the Games, and the local laird, Russell Ellice who donated the present field to the community. Glengarry Shinty Club was revived at the same time and they and their Ladies Teams have gone from strength to strength, many of who help with the Games, and afterwards there are Shinty matches including the McBain cup. The Games are supported by many businesses working in the area and proceeds go to local charities. The W.R.I provide teas for the committee and guest. The Glengarry Heritage Centre, located in the Community Hall can provide more History of the Games and the area of Glengarry.

The centre's position offers exceptional facilities for watersports enthusiasts of all levels. The Lochaber & Fort William area bounded by an extensive coastal & marine environment. Snowgoose Mountain Centre is surrounded by safe water with easy access to the sheltered tidal waters of Loch Linnhe and access to the open sea down the length of Loch Linnhe beyond Corran Narrows. SEA KAYAKING In the Lochaber area there is a truly amazing variety of inland lochs and coastline offering wide selection of sea kayak trips - offering everything from sheltered paddling journeys on placid lochs with lots of islands to discover, to open tidal water with fast tidal currents. Our beginner sea kayak sessions on Loch Linnhe are a gentle introduction to the effects of paddling on tidal waters. The inland lochs of Loch Lochy and Loch Sheil are also excellent locations for sea kayaking. A little further away protected by hundreds of small tidal islands (known as skerries) is the coastline surrounding Arisaig bay. An ideal spot to begin an adventure. This area is home to a huge variety of marine wildlife with a fair weather option to paddle up the coastline towards Mallaig with fantastic views out the Inner Hebrides. RIVER KAYAKING Our novice kayaking sessions, courses & holidays are initially based on the sheltered open inland waters of Loch Linnhe, Loch Lochy, or Loch Shiel                                With a more experience we can easily progress to the moving water of the rivers Lochy, Oich, and later to the amazing white water of the Roy, Spean, etc. Our favourite spot for beginners on moving water is on Loch Lochy in a wide sheltered open bay with visiting ospreys in the summer – along with small rapids tumbling down from Loch Arkaig a few miles above. Based on the short steep side of the country we have good local access to excellent Grade 111 and above white water rivers which are largely spate in nature, some of which are quite technical in nature. This gives excellent training opportunities for intermediate and advanced white water paddling in a unique environment. OPEN CANOEING. These basic skills sessions are based inland on the more sheltered  Loch Lochy or the tidal waters of Loch Linnhe with also excellent locations to learn the skills of open canoe journeying, for day paddles or with an over night wild camping stop.There are excellent opportunities for overnight expeditions for those with a little more experience - we regularly venture further a field to the tidal waters of Loch Moidart – paddle the Rough Bounds into Arisaig; Loch Sheil; Loch Oich and Loch Arkaig. All of this as well as guided open canoe trips over the 70 mile long Caledonian Canal on the Great Glen Canoe Trail – this being one of the favourites. The idyllic River Oich and Loch Lochy are excellent for an introduction to river paddling in an open canoe  learning  to raft up effectively, lining & poling as well as the opportunity to canoe sail on more advanced courses DINGHY SAILING We have a small fleet of 16' Devon Yawls & 21’ keeled Flying 15 dinghies which can take 4 students plus an instructor. These are all weather dinghies which are fun to sail but also fast and responsive for single handed sailing or a family day out.   There are several options available for Dinghy Sailing with our experienced Instructors from ½ day taster sessions for all the family to 2-3 day sailing & boat handling courses.By the end of a 2 day Beginners course you will have experienced handling the dinghy, sail handling, rope work, be aware of safety on board and  be able to sail as a crew in light winds under supervision. There will be hands on experience of:| The dinghy and its main parts; Basic boat handling – how to sail in all wind directions; Launching & recovery;  weather & meteorology. CANOE AND KAYAK HIRE & THE GREAT GLEN CANOE TRAIL Snowgoose Mountain Centre is well placed at the extreme SW end of the Caledonian Canal for the recently opened Great Glen Canoe Trail. This offers a great opportunity to canoe or kayak along the spectacular Caledonian Canal which runs for nearly 70 miles from near Fort William to Inverness along the very varied stretches of canal as well as the wide open waters of Loch Lochy, Loch Oich and Loch Ness (which are classed as inland seas).We provideGuided canoe & sea kayak trips along the Great Glen Canoe Trail as well as 2 - 5 day expeditions in other fantastic remote and wild locations on the west coast of Scotland. We do not hire our boats to inexperienced paddlersFull open canoe, sea & river kayak hire / outfitting packages including paddles, buoyancy aids, barrels, BDH bottles, dry bags, trolley wheels, etc.  Full camping & expedition equipment hire - plus full information on the best campsites & local services.A full shuttle service for boats & gear to the end of the finish of the Canoe Trail and elsewhere - and free drop of to the top of Neptune's Staircase at Banavie to all our hire customers.  Locally based paddling information and advice when you arrive with us - based on over 30 years of local paddling experience.

For a unique cruise through one of Scotland’s most remote, beautiful and unspoilt landscapes, take a trip to Glenfinnan. Join local skipper Jim Michie on his lovingly restored 1940 ex-naval harbour launch, who will guide you along this magnificent loch while keeping a close eye out for Golden & Sea Eagles, Red Deer and a variety of Rare Wildlife.   A variety of cruises operate on the Loch. A morning 2 hour run takes you to majestic Glenaladale, former homeland of a notable branch of the Clan MacDonald who were prominent in there support of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s attempt to regain the throne of Britain for his father, the exiled King James. A superb view of the “Jacobite” steam train crossing MacAlpine’s famous 21 arch viaduct can be seen on this cruise.   A 1 hour cruise to the Prince’s Bay will give a you taste of the Loch and its stunning surrounding landscape.   An afternoon 2.5 hour cruise visits Gaskan, where the writer and naturalist Mike Tomkies found the perfect seclusion to study and record the wide variety of his beloved wildlife.   For a great day out go on the Wednesday Loch Cruise which takes you the full length of the Loch to the crofting community of Acharacle where you can have lunch before returning home. This cruise passes the “Green Isle”, ancient sanctuary of St Finan and burial ground for over 1500 years.   Sileas is available  for private charter, be it for weddings, birthdays, corporate or group outings.   Further details on the cruises & timetable can be found on our website.   Don’t miss the boat, this is not just a cruise but an unforgettable experience!   Timetabled Cruises operate on Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday Only. Private Charter Available 7 Days/Week April to November. ADVANCE BOOKING ADVISABLE.