Glen Spean and the Great Glen is the perfect location for you to enjoy the exciting range of events taking place this year.
Fort William Mountain Festival
Wednesday 15 until Sunday 19 February 2012
Venue: Throughout Lochaber
Lovers of Lochaber's rugged peaks can expect another exciting programme of events at the eleventh Mountain Festival.
Presented by the Outdoor Capital of the UK, festival highlights include:-
A special musical performance of a unique, contemporary piece called 'Black Snows' by Ardgour's Mary Ann Kennedy at the opening night at Nevis Range. Mountain bike legend Steve Peat will also attend.
Artic explorer Bob Shepton will talk on his breathtaking sailing and big wall climbing expedition in Greenland at the mountaineering night, which will also feature a film of Lochaber climber Dave MacLeod's incredible 1,000ft ascent of St Johns Head on Hoy.
Another world-class climber, Johnny Dawes, will give a lecture on the fine line between managing risk and recklessness.
The most inspiring mountain films from around the world will be screened at the Best of Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour Night.
Other events include workshops in mountain skills, avalanche awareness, winter walking and winter climbing in the Outdoor Capital and ice climbing at Kinlochleven's Ice Factor.
View web sites
Charity Quiz Night for Genesis Research Trust
Friday 24 February 2012 from 7.30pm
Venue: Old Station Restaurant Spean Bridge
Whether you're Brain of Britain, or simply brainless, test your knowledge in this great fun quiz while supporting this fantastic charity.
£5.00 per person includes quiz entry and finger buffet. Maximum 6 persons per team. Prize to be confirmed.
Contact Lindsay Simpson for information and team registration on 01397 712582.
Ceilidh, Soup and Stovies Night!
Saturday 3 March 2012 from 8.00pm
Venue: Spean Bridge Village Hall
Come and enjoy a great traditional night of soup, stovies, entertainment and dance.
Never tried stovies? Now's your chance!
A fundraising event for the floral displays in Spean Bridge and Roy Bridge.
Tickets available from Christine MacDonald on 01809 501383
Scottish Six Day Trial
Friday 4 until Saturday 12 May 2012
Venue: Fort William and throughout Lochaber
Since its origin in 1909 no other motorcycle trial has captured the imagination of riders and spectators in the same way.
Unarguably the greatest trial race in the world.
Nearly 300 riders from across the globe compete in an event that has the same status for trial bikers that the Isle of Man TT has to road racers.
Lochaber's rugged terrain tests rider and machine against a backdrop of stunning mountain scenery. It's a must for spectators!
The SSDTs open on Sunday 6 May with a fantastic cavalcade where all the competing riders are led through the centre of Fort William by a pipe band.
For full details visit the website.
View web sites
The Jacobite Steam Train
Monday 14 May until Friday 26 October 2012
Venue: Departs Fort William for Mallaig twice daily
Ride aboard the Jacobite and follow the Road to the Isles and Hollywood!
A fantastic 84 mile round trip family excursion, with parts of the route recognisable from the films Highlander, Local Hero and, of course, the Harry Potter series. Cross the Glenfinnan viaduct just like the Hogwarts Express.
...and if you're staying in Roy Bridge or Spean Bridge, then why not leave your vehicle at your accommodation? Travel to and from the Jacobite on the scheduled trains which connect the villages with Fort William.
Morning departure from Fort William at 10.20am runs weekdays Monday 14 May to Friday 26 October.
Afternoon departure from Fort William at 14.45pm runs weekdays from Monday 4 June to Friday 31 August.
Twice daily departures on Saturdays and Sundays from 23 June to 26 August.
For seat reservations call 01524 737751/737753
Book online: www.westcoastrailways.co.uk
UCI Fort William Mountain Bike World Cup
Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 June 2012
Venue: Nevis Range (6 miles south of Spean Bridge)
An adrenaline packed weekend guaranteed! Hundreds of professional mountain bikers return to Nevis Range for the 11th year of this multi-award winning sporting occasion.
The weekend's centrepiece will be world class downhill and 4-cross action.
For further details and ticket sales visit: www.fortwilliamworldcup.co.uk
Lochaber Agricultural Show
Saturday 25 August 2012 10.00am-5.00pm
Venue: Happy Valley Torlundy (7 miles south of Spean Bridge)
Come and join us at our local Highland Agricultural Show at the foot of Ben Nevis!
All school children enter free! Free parking.
See Highland cattle and sheep judging, horse showing, sheep dog trials, pipe band, Highland dancing, terrier racing, donkey rides, strongman display, stick making, sheep shearing, vintage tractors, vintage cars, wool spinning and weaving. Enjoy argo rides, children's farm, children's rides, local musicians, local crafts and local food.
Adults £7.00 OAPs £5.00
Ben Nevis Race
Saturday 1 September 2012 1.00-5.00pm
Venue: Starts at Town Park Fort William
The Ben Nevis Race attracts around 500 competitors each year and is one of Lochaber's oldest outdoor activity events.
The idea is to simply run all the way from the Town park to the summit of Ben Nevis (4406ft) and all the way back again - as fast as you can. The current record is an amazing 1 hr and 24 mins!
The event is a great spectator sport and provides lots of opportunities for photos or video. The Ben Nevis Race Association, who organise the event, provide financial support to the Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team.
Full information at www.bennevisrace.co.uk
Highland Games - Summer Calendar
Glengarry Highland Games
Saturday 5 July 2012 at 1.00pm
Venue: Shinty Park Invergarry
Tel: 01809 501238
Saturday 21 July 2012 from 12 noon
Venue: Bught Park
The Games are the largest in northern Scotland and are part of Inverness Summer Festival
Tel: 01463 724262
View web site
Arisaig Highland Games
Wednesday 25 July 2012 at 12.30pm
Venue: Traigh Farm Arisaig
Tel: 01687 450604
Lochaber Highland Games (Fort William)
Date to be confirmed
Venue: To be confirmed
Work on the upgrade of the park at An Aird in Fort William is continuing. An alternative venue is to be found.
Tel: 01397 703711
Newtonmore Highland Games
Saturday 4 August 2012 from 11.00am
Venue: The Eilan Newtonmore
Tel: 01540 673348
Mallaig & Morar Highland Games
Sunday 5 August 2012 at 12 noon
Venue: Lovatt Memorial Field Morar
Tel: 01324 552841
Glenfinnan Highland Games
Saturday 18 August 2012 at 11.30am
Venue: Field by the Glenfinnan Monument
Tel: 01397 722234
Argyllshire (Oban) Highland Gathering
Thursday 23 August 2012 at 10.00am
Venue: Mossfield Park Oban
Tel: 01631 562671
View web site
Glenurquhart Highland Gathering
Saturday 25 August 2012 from 10.30am
Venue: Westfield Drumnadrochit Loch Ness
Tel: 01456 476227