Five days of inspiration and entertainment, action and adventure await those visiting Fort William next week.
The town, which sits below the UK’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis, is hosting the annual Fort William Mountain Festival, which unleashes five adrenalin-filled days with a launch night on Wednesday, February 19.
Presented by the Outdoor Capital of the UK, the programme features some of the best inspirational speakers, made up of top climbers and mountaineers, together with adventure film screenings, mountain bike, ski mountaineering and hill-running races and mountain skills workshops.
Mike Pescod, chairman of the Highland Mountain Culture Association, organisers of the festival, said it was guaranteed to inspire, entertain and educate.
“This year’s programme celebrates mountain culture in all its forms and promotes the value of the landscape of Lochaber as the best destination in the UK in which to live, work and play,” said Mr Pescod.
“It includes a superb lineup of top climbers and explorers, mountain films, inspirational speakers and skills workshops.
“It caters for a wide spectrum of enthusiasts, from armchair adventurers to climbers, mountaineers to mountain bikers, and budding wildlife photographers.
“Celebrating the landscape that surrounds us in Fort William is the inspiration behind the Mountain Festival.”
Pledging that this will be a week to remember, the festival kicks off in action-packed style at Nevis Range Mountain Experience, near Fort William.
On Wednesday, February 19, the evening will begin with a torchlight descent spectacular as a range of local outdoor athletes on skis, bike and foot weave their way down Aonach Mor.
This will be followed by a locally sourced and inspired four-course meal, a preview screening of the festival competition films and live musical entertainment.
Highlights from February 20 include top-level action films presented by Red Bull Media House, and a talk on new Scottish winter routes in out-of-the-way places by Simon Yearsley.
His talk, which will take place in The Clachaig Inn, Glencoe, will touch on his passion for putting up new winter routes in Scotland, the trials and tribulations of being a walker and some stories from Glencoe.
On Friday, February 21, Findlay Wild, current record holder of the Cuillin Ridge Traverse and four-time winner of the Ben Nevis Race, opens the night with a short film, The Dragons Back, by Shane Ohly.
The evening has a talk by legendary runner Manny Gorman, who completed the Corbetts in a continuous round, and a ridge-running Q&A with a panel of elite athletes including Shane Ohly, Manny Gorman, Findlay Wild and Guy Steven.
The programme for Saturday, February 22, is just as exciting, as it includes a climbing night with Piolet d’Or winners Sandy Allan and Mick Fowler when both men share their experience of various mountaineering expeditions.
There’s no let-up on Sunday, either, when The Dynamic Image – Nadir Khan, a multimedia presentation for those who love photography and creativity in the outdoors, takes place and promises to be a visual feast.
Award-winning films from the Banff Mountain Film Festival can be seen on Sunday night. However, as this is always a sellout, it’s advisable to organise tickets sooner rather than later.
During the festival, visitors can also see top-level athletes compete in events including the Scottish Enduro Series Round One mountain-bike event at the Nevis Range, the Skimo Scotland ski mountaineering races at Glencoe Mountain and Nevis Range, and a special hill race organised by Lochaber Athletics Club.
Novices and experts can also hone their mountain skills through a series of workshops ranging from adventure photography to avalanche awareness.
The festival takes place in and around Fort William, Lochaber, from February 19-23. Visit www.mountain festival.co.uk for more information.