Chance to seek inspiration at Fort William Mountain Festival
Winter in the Highlands can sometimes feel long and drawn out, especially as we get into February and we crave the light and, dare I suggest, warmth of spring.
It’s a good time to look forward, seek inspiration and plan some adventures for the months ahead.
At the same time, there are still opportunities to enjoy the outdoors in winter, whether that’s in the high mountains, running on the trails or exploring local forests on foot.
You can get a taste for all these things, and a whole lot more, at this year’s Fort William Mountain Festival, which takes place from Thursday, February 13 to Sunday, February 16.
I went down to Lochaber for the festival a couple of years ago and really enjoyed the mix of inspirational guests and talks, hands-on adventures and workshops that offer a chance to learn something new or get a new perspective on the outdoors.
It can be a bit of a journey, but it offers a chance to explore parts of the Highlands that I don’t get to very often and explore the area that is marketed as the Outdoor Capital of the UK.
This year’s festival programme includes record-breaking mountaineer Anna Wells, Inverness author, podcaster and storyteller John D Burns sharing his Bothy Tales, Lee Craigie from the Adventure Syndicate and bikepacking legend Markus Stitz.
The packed line-up has loads of inspirational speakers, creative workshops, guided outdoor activities, thought-provoking films, competitions and awards, and the adventure-themed interactive Festival Hub.
What really stands out is that the whole thing is pulled together by a band of volunteers, led by walk leader Anna Danby, who I met at the 2023 event – her first time as organiser.
She said: “This will be my third time coordinating this brilliant, community-minded festival and it’s always a joy to see how it grows and develops year on year.
“The programme for 2025 has a fantastic array of events across all areas of mountain culture. There will be plenty of opportunities for people across different interests and abilities to get involved, exploring the landscapes of Lochaber and to be inspired through talks and films.”
There is so much on during the four days that it can be hard to know where to start. The Festival Hub is at the Nevis Centre in Fort William, where there is free entry to the main exhibition space from 5pm to 7pm each day. Here you’ll find a range of outdoor organisations, brands and creators, as well as being able to grab food and drink while you check out what else is happening.
“Discovery Sessions” offer a varied programme across all outdoor disciplines. There’s bike trail route inspiration from the founder of Bikepacking Scotland, Markus Stitz; explore the best mountain running in the UK with the launch of Northern Horizons, a new book from adventurer Will Herman; learn from renowned sports dietician Renee McGregor; cosy in for Bothy Tales with author, podcaster and storyteller John D Burns; escape to the Lakeland Fells with a unique and poetic spoken word performance piece, Dreamtime Fellrunner, by Dr Julie Carter, and much, much more.
“Headline Events” fill the evenings with more in-depth explorations through discussion, film and speakers. Some of the highlights include record-breaking mountaineer Anna Wells, The Martin Moran Foundation, bike adventurer Lee Craigie from the Adventure Syndicate, blind climber Jesse Dufton; a brand new musical collaboration between The Storylands Sessions and Scottish Mountaineering Press, and the hugely popular BANFF mountain film festival world tour.
There are also “Explore Events” which offer more hands-on learning with experts in their field, and take place at the Nevis Centre and outdoors across Lochaber.
Outdoor events include mountain illustration, nature writing, geology, wild swimming, trail running, mountain biking, adaptive cycling, winter skills, mountaineering, and skiing. Indoor events include British Sign Language, mountain weather with MWIS, bike maintenance and adventure filmmaking.
For me, this is where the festival really comes to life, when you can get out there and get involved. But there are also awards which recognise the phenomenal effort and talent that goes into adventure filmmaking and photography. The specially curated International Film night will showcase the best entries to the festival’s competition and award presentations.
The Scottish Awards for Excellence in Mountain Culture, recognising both adult and youth categories, will also be presented. Since the inception of the awards in 2008, the Fort William Mountain Festival has proudly celebrated remarkable individuals in the outdoor world through these prestigious honours.
The esteemed members of the Excellence in Mountain Culture Hall of Fame are exceptional individuals who stand out, inspire us to strive for our best, and embody the pinnacle of personal achievement, according to the organisers.
Graham Smyth, chairman of the Highland Mountain Culture Association, said: “The Fort William Mountain Festival is entirely organised and run by a dedicated group of volunteers who generously give their time to make it happen.
“United by a deep passion for the outdoors and the mountain environment, their enthusiasm and commitment shine through their exceptional work they do to create this unforgettable long weekend of events that will be sure to inspire all who are in attendance.”
With an aim to encourage people to be inspired by, respect and protect our natural landscape, the festival is expected to attract up to 1500 people over the four days. It’s a great chance to get some motivation from films and speakers, while getting out and enjoying the Highlands in winter.