Fort William Mountain Festival Programme

07.12.2006

Fort William and Lochaber are in the news as hosts of the ARWorld Championships, but there are many other events taking place in the ‘Outdoor Capital’ as part of the Highland 2007 campaign and one of the biggest is the Mountain Festival taking place from Friday 16 February to Saturday 3 March. The organisers have promised a sixteen day extravaganza of films, lectures, workshops art, writing, photography, theatre and music for residents and visitors who want to learn about and celebrate mountain culture.

This year's expanded programme of new events and old favourites sees the most ambitious selection of cultural and sporting events and activities in Fort William and Lochaber during the best winter walking and climbing conditions of the year. The diverse range of events which includes top climbers, paddlers, singers, international films and public art will cater for everyone of all ages from extreme adrenaline junkies to Gaelic enthusiasts.

Chairman of the Highland Mountain Culture Association, Lex Troedson said: 'What a roller coaster year so far. Our very successful 2006 event was no sooner finalised than plans were immediately underway for 2007. We are delighted to be welcoming a superb line up of guests to Fort William throughout the festival including climbing legends Yvon Chouinard, Jimmy Marshall, Timmy O'Neill and Hamish MacInnes. The 2007 festival is our most ambitious project yet with so many new areas of programming and promises to be one of the highlights of the Year of Highland Culture.'

As the UK's only festival dedicated to celebrating mountains and the culture that surrounds them Fort William's programme of events covers all aspects of mountain culture and also celebrates the Gaelic language. Festival highlights include Yvon Chouinard (CEO of the Patagonia Company), Timmy O'Neill (reputed to be the fastest climber in the world), Gaelic singer Anne Lorne Gillies, original photographs by Frank Hurley in the 'Antarctic Witness' exhibition, the festival favourite 'Party up a Mountain' and plenty of opportunities to get involved with a range of workshops and practical activities.