Family Adventure Activity Holidays Scotland, Sailing, Climbing, Fishing Mountain Biking

Nevis Range Mountain Experience Fort William - Skiing Snowboarding Climbing Walking Mountain Biking

The Nevis Range Mountain Centre is a world renowned facility just outside Fort William, north signposted from the A82. It started life as a ski resort with gondola system but as winters have become unpredictable and snow isn't always great for skiing the centre has been used for other sports. In winter, snow permitting, skiing and snowboarding are still popular and several boarding competitions are regularly held here. Climbers also use the gondola to get up to Aonach Mor and Aonach Beag. There is a range of green to black runs for beginners through to off piste skiing totalling 20 kilometres of pisted runs and 35 kilometres of non-pisted runs. Courses are also available for learning to ski or improving your technique. Additional facilities for boarders includes the Boardwise Terrain Park with rails and jumps.

In the summer it's a centre for mountain biking, walking and snowsports like snowboarding and skiing. There are mountain gondolas that take you up 2,150 feet to Aoanach Mor. These are equipped to take skis and snowboards, mountain bikes and is useful for climbers, paragliders and hangliders. Alternatively you can just take a ride for the viewpoints and easy mountain trails on Aoanach Mor at the top.

The main attraction is the world class downhill mountain bike track. It covers a 2,000 foot descent over 3 kilometres. Times down it take from 4 minutes, for Europe's top riders, upwards for mere mortals. It is pretty fierce so it is recommended only for skilled riders. The track is open between mid-May to mid-September but it is best to check it's open before setting out as it can be closed for maintenance sometimes. Entry fees are by trip or you can buy a multi-trip ticket. Season passes are also available. There is also a cross country forest trail in Leanachan Forest that was constructed for the 2003 World Championship. Called the Witches Trail it incorporates fast flowing forest roads and single track climbs and descents. The start of the Witches Trail is at the Nevis Range base station where you can get a map of the route. In addition there are 25 miles of family forest trails graded from easy to expert. These are also good for forest walks.

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Mountain Bike Holidays, 7 Stanes, Dumfries & Galloway/Scottish Borders

Mountain biking holidays are becoming increasingly popular, and a number of Forest Parks are obliging across the UK with mountain bike trails ranging from easy to severe. The Galloway Forest Park in Dumfries & Galloway includes some of the 7 Stanes cycling trails around Glentrool and Kirroughtree. This forest park is one of the top spots in Scotland for Best Mountain Bike holidays. Checkout the all singletrack Glentrool blue-graded cycling trail (9km/takes about 1 - 2 hours) on the 7 Stanes weblink right. This one weaves through forest and up onto a ridge with fine views of Loch Trool.

Glentress is one of the 7 Stanes mountain bike trails scattered across the Southwest of Scotland and it offers some of the most demanding mountain bike trails of all of them (see 7 Stanes Glentress weblink right for maps and details).

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Aviemore Ski Centres & Summer Activitiy Holidays in Scotland

There are ski slopes in The Lecht area over near Tomintoul and the Cairngorms east of Aviemore. Check the Ski Scotland link for location and piste maps. A range of lift passes are available depending on how long you intend to stay in the area and lessons can be arranged for skiing, snowboarding and other snow sports.

The Cairngorm Ski Centre has brought many visitors to Aviemore. It is Britain's largest ski centre with 28 runs over 35 kilometres of piste. The mountain railway operates throughout the year being used by walkers and those wanting views of the Cairngorms during the rest of the year. Equipment hire and lessons can be arranged. There is a cafe, restaurant and bar at Cairngorm Mountain - the Ptarmigan Restaurant is accessed by the railway which can make an unusual setting fo a meal. Guided walks are also availableCairnGorm Mountain Ltd, Cairn Gorm Ski Area, Aviemore PH22 1RB Tel: 01479 861261. Fax: 01479 861207. Email: info@cairngormmountain.org. Guided Walk Booking Line: 01479 861 341.

The Lecht Ski Centre has around 20 piste for all abilities of skiing serviced by chairlifts or tows. For snowboarders there is a Snowboard Funpark along with table tops, log slides, gap jumps and a full length half pipe. You can also have a go at a range of other fun snow activities like snow tubing. Snow canons are used on some slopes to boost natural snowfall. You can also hire equipment or book lessons through the Ski Centre. In the summer the Centre is open for go-karting, tubing, quad bikes and chairlift rides. Check their website for more information. The Lecht Ski Centre, Strathdon, Aberdeenshire, AB36 8YP. Tel: 019756 51440. Fax: 019756 51426 Email: info@lecht.co.uk.

Glenmore Lodge is Scotland's National Outdoor Adventure Centre based in Aviemore who offer a wide range of courses for beginners as well as intermediate and advanced skills courses. Their main areas of expertise are rock climbing, ice climbing, navigation skills, winter/summer mountain skills, ski touring/mountaineering, mountain biking, sea kayaking, surf kayaking, river kayaking, open boating and first aid and rescue.

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Fishing Scotland - River Tweed, River Dee, Ailsa Craig/Girvan & The Trossachs' Lochs

Since the advent of Victorian fly fishing tackle and the consquent evolving of modern rods, the River Tweed in the Borders has been popular with anglers, especially for Salmon. In fact don't be surprised if around Spring particularly you see salmon leaping from the Tweed, especially around Selkirk! The River Tweed in the Scottish Borders is one of the best rivers in the UK for salmon fishing. The Tweed is officially one of the top salmon rivers in the world. Sea trout and winter grayling are also top catches here on the Tweed River.

Move upto the North East of Scotland, west of Aberdeen into Royal Deeside for more Scotland fishing hotspots. The River Dee in this area is famous too for salmon fishing as well as sea trout and grilse. Check the Fish Dee weblink right for more information and to book fishing permits.

Scotland's numerous Lochs offer further fishing opportunities. Fishing is on the menu near Aberfeldy in Highland Perthshire, particularly for Brown Trout at Glen Lyon and Loch Tay. Girvan on the South Ayrshire coast is a particular hotspot for fishing trips, either on the Rivers Girvan and Stinchar or out to sea on fishing trips from Girvan Harbour. Fishing trips around off-shore island Ailsa Craig are available.

The Trossachs and Breadalbane Lochs are superb for fishing. particularly salmon and trout fishing on Loch Tay beneath Ben Lawers at Killin. The Lake of Menteith and lochs in the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park also offer brown trout fishing opportunities. See the Trossachs National Park website for a full listings of fishing operators in the area.

Adventure Holidays Loch Ness

There are several companies around Loch Ness offering canoe hire, outdoor activity days and mountaineering and climbing courses. Check the websites listed right for more information.

Macguiding is based between Fort Augustus and Drumnadrochit and offer half, full or multi days activities in sea kayaks, canoes, biking or on foot. They offer bike hire. Macguiding, The Old Smithy, Invermoriston, Loch Ness, IV63 7YA. Tel: 01320 351315. Mobile: 07761 346254. Email: mike@macguiding.co.uk

Off to the west of Drumnadrochit through the wooded Glen Urquhart is the remote Glen Affric one of the most beautiful areas in the heart of the Scottish Highlands. There are few roads here but it's well worth a visit. You'll be surrounded by mountains on all sides clothed in one of the largest surviving native Caledonian pinewoods in the UK. Lochs and rivers fill the hollows between. This is excellent Munro-bagging country and a mecca for serious hikers, although the valleys offer some lovely picnic areas. Pony-trekking and mountain biking are also popular. Check the links right for more information on the Glen Affric area.

Near Drumnadrochit is Glen Urquhart a mix of plantation and native woodland. There are several waymarked walks and forest tracks suitable for cycling and horse-riding. Nearby is Balnain Bike Park with purpose built challenging routes and a skills development area. Check the weblink for more information and our Fort William Outdoor Activities page, link right.

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Loch Ness Fishing Holidays

Fishing on Loch Ness or in the many lochs to the south of Loch Ness is popular. You should contact the local fishing group and get some advice before starting out as it can be dangerous. There is no national rod licence required in Scotland as there is in England and permits for most of the river systems can be obtained from a variety of local sources such as tackle shops, hotels and post offices. You can also purchase them from Caley Cruisers if you're taking out one of their boats.

On Loch Ness the season is from the 15 March -6 October for brown trout and from 15 Jan-October for salmon. South Loch Ness is also a popular area for fishing due to the number of lochs including Lochs Knockie, Bran, Nan Lann, Killin and Mhor. Fishing Scotland has some useful advice on fishing in this area as well as offering fishing excursions.

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Fishing Lochinver North West Highlands

The Assynt area is popular for both freshwater fishing and sea fishing. Boats can be hired for sea fishing by contacting the Tourist Information Centre. Check the link right for a listing of operators offering boat trips

Salmon fishing is possible on the rivers Upper and Lower Inver and Kirkaig, owned by the Inver Lodge Hotel. The fishing around Lochinver in Assynt is controlled by either Assynt Crofters' Trust or Assynt Agnling Group. Check the weblinks right for more information. Fishing permits can be bought from the Tourist Office Tel: 01571 844654, the Post Office 01571 844201 as well as other outlets listed on the Assynt Info pages, link right.