Lochaber Life

Fort William and Glen Nevis is an important part in the Outdoor Capital of the UK - hardly surprising when you consider the highest mountain in the UK towers behind our small Highland town and community. Fort William is a key destination for people wishing to take part or spectate in world class outdoor sporting activities. This area is unique in that almost all major, recognised sports can be enjoyed. All watersports including scuba diving; all hill and mountain activities plus lots of people go flying and soaring above the mountain tops.

We use the name "Outdoor Capital of the Uk" to describe the potential for outdoor activities set amidst beautiful and mostly wild landscapes which we know locally as Fort William and Lochaber. Fort William and Lochaber is a bit of an outdoor adventure playground, but equally important it is a place where people make their living, and increasingly this involves outdoor adventure.
View Fort William & Lochaber in a larger map Check the activity providers on our Activities section of this site.



We also consider "Outdoor Capital" to describe all the traditional activities like highland games, touring by car, motorcycle or bicycle, simply enjoying our peaceful and quite countryside locations - we have more than most communities in the UK ! A great many people work outdoors doing traditional things like fishing and estate working, crofting and basically maintaining the infrustracture in a rural environment.

Let us explain this word "Lochaber". Lochaber is the name given to a huge area of the Scottish west Highlands that includes Glencoe, Fort William & Glen Nevis, Ben Nevis, a good part of the Great Glen and much of Glen Spean, the road to the Isles including Mallaig, the Ardnamurchan peninsula and in the north, the lands of Knodart. A quick look at the map on the right of this page show the Lochaber area in light blue.

The Lochaber community is a small one - less than 20,000 people living in an area greater than the whole of Luxemberg. Our community is mostly a rural one with many small villages and communities scattered all over Lochaber. Our economy is vital and is increasingly more dependent on lots of small, family businesses providing all sorts of products and services. Our college - Lochaber College, is a fantastic learning resource where locals can study Further Education and even a growing number of Degree courses through the UHI - University of the Highlands and Islands.

if you are coming to Fort William and Lochaber, we really hope you enjoy your visit and find everyone you meet friendly and welcoming.