Live Fort mountain festival returns
Organisers of the 18th Fort William Mountain Festival have announced they be staging their live, multi-venue event in and around Fort William over five days, from Wednesday 16 to Sunday 20 February.
The action-packed programme includes presentations from world-class outdoor adventurers; adrenaline filled and thought-provoking films from both the festival’s very own international film competition entries and the Banff Centre Mountain Festival World Tour; a number of award nights, such as The Scottish Awards for Excellence in Mountain Culture and The Photographer of the Year Award, celebrating a range of outstanding achievements; thought-provoking environmental discussions; and a collection of quality fringe events including winter mountain skills workshops, philosophy walks, and bike and running themed nights.
Visitors and residents of Lochaber can celebrate everything the great outdoors has to offer at the festival presented in association with the Nevis Landscape Partnership, the OCUK, Ellis Brigham, Jahama Highland Estates, John Muir Trust, and the Highland Council.
Rod Pashley, chairman of The Highland Mountain Culture Association, organisers of the Fort William Mountain Festival, said: ‘In 2021 we produced a stunning online festival amid the challenges of Covid-19. Now we’re back to a live event, celebrating the wild landscape that surrounds us in Fort William and Lochaber; the inspiration that fuels the passion and enthusiasm behind the Mountain Festival.’
The fun starts with festival launch night on Wednesday February 16 when film-makers Keith Partridge, Paul Diffley and Dave Macleod will be at the Nevis Centre to celebrate the stories behind the stories from the history of British mountaineering film-making. Live music, beer and street food producers will also be on hand. The Exhibition Zone at the Nevis Centre will be open daily from 5.30-10pm, where there will be the usual mix of mountaineering exhibits, books and trade stands.
Highland Cinema is also expected to be busy during the festival. Guests include adventurer and climate change graduate James Armour, wild swimmer and TV presenter Calum McLean, members of the Adventure Syndicate, and author and paralympic cyclist Karen Darke MBE.
Festival organisers have also put together a fringe event programme which includes a wide range of workshops with plenty of opportunities for both novices and experts alike to get out and about amidst the beautiful Lochaber winter landscape, including winter mountaineering skills, philosophy walks, wild swimming, biking, running, yoga and outdoor art.
For the full programme for the Fort William Mountain Festival 2022 and to buy tickets go to mountainfestival.co.uk.