The days may be are shortening now, but the late afternoons and evenings are still lovely out on the water. Out for a sail with friends on Loch Linnhe the other day was a great way to blow away any cobwebs and the views looking back from the water at the town of Fort William spread out across the hills with Ben Nevis towering behind were just stunning. We sailed up to Seal Island, near the deepest part of the loch (at 130 metres, deeper than the North Sea!). All that fresh air on the sea-loch certainly worked up an appetite for a tasty home-cooked meal on board the yacht. A couple of hours, a bottle of wine and some full tummies later, we motored back in the dark, the sky crowded with brilliant stars. What a place and what an evening! Click here to find out more about sailing, kayaking, water-skiing and all the other fun things you can and other sports out on the water in Lochaber. - Lisa

posted by ocuk @ 10:00 AM  1 comments

What an amazing day we had on Friday. Brilliant blue skies, stunning scenery and views as far as the eye can see. I went out as part of the very first Walk Lochaber festival to do the Ring of Steall - a walk that has been on my hit-list for a while, and thoroughly enjoyed it. It's not a walk for the faint-hearted, and was a long day with a 9.00am start and a 7pm finish! But worth it - it was excellent to get the benefit of expert local guide Alan Kimber's experience and nice to get to know some new people as we walked. Sociable, exhilirating and inspiring - can't beat that for a grand day out!

The Ring of Steall is a major undertaking - for safety and route advice visit www.mountaineering-scotland.org.uk/safety/steall.html. - Jane

posted by ocuk @ 9:32 AM  0 comments

Drving back from Mallaig the other week along the Road to the Isles there was this fantastic sunset over the Isles of Rum and Eigg. Just thought I'd put this up to share it with everyone.
- Jane

posted by ocuk @ 10:48 AM  0 comments

Wall-to-wall, or rather mountain-to-mountain sunshine in Lochaber this weekend. Fantastic weather for a walk. Not having a lot of time available, we chose a short but dramatic walk up the Pap of Glencoe. The Pap is a real iconic peak, but is also really accessible - easily walkable in 3.5 hours if you are fit and used to hill-walking, and it's not far from Glencoe village.

There are two routes - basically straight up a steep rough path or a newer, gentler track that winds up the shoulder and across to the peak. Nearer the top it gets a bit rocky and rough and you need to watch your step, but that doesn't last long and then you're there!
Time for a cuppa and a chance to take in the stunning views - to the east, the village of Kinlochleven tucked away at the head of Loch Leven, and further away to the south-east, shimmering hints of the lochans on Rannoch Moor. To the west views out to Ballachulish Bridge and beyond where Loch Leven meets Loch Linnhe. To the north the Mamores and a glimpse of Ben Nevis behind. (Please note I am not known for my sense of direction, so my idea of 'NSEW' might be a bit iffy, but you get the idea - amazing views from all directions. If only I could enter the Outdoor Capital's GPS competition, I might get on better!).

For a wonderful panoramic view from the summit, with the names of hills labelled, click here or for ideas of other short walks in the area, visit www.glencoe-scotland.net/walks.html - Steve

posted by ocuk @ 9:49 AM  1 comments

The weather outdoors wasn't Lochaber's best so what better to do than head indoors for an evening of great music. I'd never been to a Blas event and the formula is great. Blas is a festival celebrating highland music and events are held all over the highlands (www.blas-festival.com) They showcase both established and up and coming musicians, with each playing a fairly short set. So really good if you are like me and don't know much about celtic or traditional music and want to find out more. Events are still running this week so log on to find out if there is an event near you.

First on was accordion player John MacDonald, then Maeve Mackinnon. Both are young musicians and Maeve is really worth seeking out. Accompanied only by a single guitar, her beautiful voice was mesmerizing.

Headlining the event were 'Blazing Fiddles', and for those who like celtic music they will need no introduction. They comprise 5 fiddlers from different parts of Scotland and they are fabulous! They are passionate about fiddle music and really get that across with their playing and introductions and explanations of the music. They played everything from traditional Shetland reels to Texas country and western music, and when all five fiddlers are going for it I defy anyone to sit still. Definitely worth keeping an eye out - buy a CD but they are a "must see live" band.

So it may have been raining outside but inside Ballachulish Village Hall we were having a ball!

For more about art events in Lochaber visit Hi-Arts.co.uk. To find out more about the historic highland village of Ballachulish (pronounced Ballahoolish), near Glencoe, click here. - Anna

posted by ocuk @ 1:06 PM  0 comments