Fort William

Friday, midday

Check into the Whispering Pine Lodge ( doubles from £ 124, blacksheephotels. com/ whisperingpine- home/), a gloriously revamped waterfront oasis on Loch Lochy.

12: 30pm

In town the game- changing Highland Cinema opened on Cameron Square in September with a brace of screens, an airy café and a genuine Neapolitan pizza oven. Kick off savouring the fruits of the latter.

2pm

Catch a film sitting next to a classic Lotus ( you’ll see), whether it be a blockbuster or something more local – they intend to screen classic Scottish films too.

5pm

Bash out with Fort William Sea Tours on their speedy RIB, zooming around lochs Linnhe and Eil in search of birds of prey, porpoises and dolphins.

7pm

Settle into the waterfront Lime House. Kick off with a creamy Cullen skink, before a Highland charcuterie and cheese platter.

Saturday, 9am

Get active at the Nevis Range. By spring 2021 they will have finished a new blue trail descending over 10km from the top of the gondola. The testing red and black runs – plus more relaxed blue and green trails – are arguably the finest in the UK. Their top of the range electric hire bikes make uphill a breeze.

1: 30pm

A pie or burger and chips al fresco at the Pinemarten Café refuels as you marvel at the adrenaline junkies barrelling out the tougher runs.

2: 30pm

Catch the gondola up to take in an epic sweep of mountains and Cameron clan land.

6pm

Enjoy a sophisticated aperitif – a seriously smooth 25- year- old Lagavulin back at the Whispering Pine in their Robert Burns Bar.

8pm

There are few restaurants in Scotland where you can order chicken tandoori followed by lobster thermidor. At the hotel’s Lochside Brasserie it’s a winning combination.

Sunday, 9am

Recline with a treatment at the on site Sleeping Beauty Spa. A hot stone massage eases those mountain- bikebashed limbs.

Robin Mckelvie

Please check covid restrictions before booking. A car is the best way to get to and around Fort William, or take your bike on Scotrail ( www. scotrail. co. uk); www. outdoorcapital. co. uk