Had a fantastic trip out on Loch Linnhe on board the Souter's Lass cruise boat. The cruise leaves from Fort William Town Pier and this is definitely the perfect activity for exploring the area without having to exert yourself too much. We were even able to bring Dan (our dog) which was handy. So good sitting on deck in the sun, enjoying a nice chilled beer absorbing the spectacular scenery. Brilliant views of Ben Nevis.
The cruise goes to Seal Island which is a small rock in the loch where the local seal colonies congregate, our skipper informed us that they are safe from predators there, which is why it is so popular. We saw lots of seals playing and basking, and Dan was certainly enthralled he couldn't take his eyes off them! There was 8 basking and one small baby seal too! On the way back we saw three porpoise who swam quite near the boat. We were looking out for the Golden Eagle, but didn't manage to see him.

For more information on viewing wildlife in the Scottish Highlands visit http://wildlife.visitscotland.com/species/

posted by ocuk @ 1:03 PM  0 comments

Nevis Range Mountain resort near Fort William re-opened today with complimentary gondola rides all day, plus free use of the Great Glen Chair. This chair is open on selected days during the summer and opens up amazing views down the Great Glen towards the highland villages of Spean Bridge and Roy Bridge as you glide gently above Aonach Mor mountain. It was great to get a different perspective on the area and it's definitely a good way to cut out a bit of walking time if you fancy getting into the hills without too much hard work! The downhillers were certainly out in force, enjoying the chance to get their bikes back onto the hill, although they weren't on it for long at the speed they were going down that track! A busy day up at Nevis Range, with visitors and locals alike enjoying the mountain views and facilities - it's great to have it back!For more on Nevis Range mountain resort, click here. Lochaber is chock-full of amazing scenery and things to do in the outdoors. To find out more visit www.outdoorcapital.co.uk

posted by ocuk @ 4:16 PM  1 comments

It isn't just the south of the UK that's basking in the recent heatwave. Here in Lochaber in the Scottish Highlands, we've been enjoying balmy days and nights, with many of us out enjoying the long summer evenings - Heading for the water seemed the best option, with people taking an evening dip in the sea at secluded Morar Sands, near Mallaig, or heading out in a sea kayak for a paddle around the coastline. For some of us though, just enjoying the views and the cooling breeze from Fort William town pier was the perfect option...just goes to show you don't have to be too active to enjoy the Outdoor Capital of the UK!

posted by ocuk @ 12:10 PM  0 comments

What a day! Brilliant sunshine, gorgeous scenery and good company. The Two Passes walk in Glencoe was billed in my guidebook as "probably the finest day walk in Glencoe that does not involve a summit" and it certainly lived up to that. It was still a challenging 9-mile walk over rough terrain, needing a general level of fitness, and I was lulled into a false sense of security by the gentle start from the car park!

The terrain was quite rough and boggy in places, so definitely one for a nice dry day. We had wonderful views down Buachaille Etive Beag as we made our way back towards the A82 and home. We did the whole loop walk in just over 5 hours, but it would also be a lovely place to walk in for an hour or so to enjoy a peaceful picnic with a stunning view.


To find out more about walks in the Glencoe area visit http://www.glencoe-scotland.net/walks.html or have a look at the outdoor capital website for more hill-walking ideas. Make sure you are safe on the hill - read up on helpful safety advice on the Mountaineering Council of Scotland's website before you head out.

posted by ocuk @ 11:03 AM  0 comments