Fort William Mountain Festival 2012 - Schedule Announced

News Release / 23.01.2012

Get ready for a mountain party! The full programme for the 2012 Fort William Mountain Festival, presented by the Outdoor Capital of the UK, has now been announced and it's set to be a fantastic five-day celebration of mountain culture, based in the bustling Highland town of Fort William from Wednesday 15 - Sunday 19 February 2012.

From armchair adventurers to weekend warriors, to the international mountain community, the enthusiastic audience coming to Fort William for the 2012 festival will be inspired, energized and entertained by  a superb line-up of lectures from top climbers and mountaineers, mountain bikers, and mountain filmmakers; and film screenings from cutting edge outdoor athletes and adventurers.

Opening Night - Join the mountain festival revellers for a sumptuous four-course dinner at Nevis Range's new Pinemarten Restaurant and enjoy a special musical performance from award-winning Gaelic singer Mary Ann Kennedy and singers who will perform a unique, contemporary piece called 'Black Snow'. This wonderful evening showcases the beauty and power of uplifting Highland music that's like no other.

Bike Night - Get ready for a full-on evening of mountain bike action in the company of British mountain-bike legend Steve Peat as he talks about his riding, career and what's next for Peaty. Plus feel your jaw drop as MTB Cut's Stu Thomson presents his latest collaboration, 'Industrial Revolutions' with the incredible street trials riding star Danny Mackaskill.  That's not all - we'll also be treated to films of other top riders doing those things they do that the rest of us wish we could!

Mountaineering Night - Join highly experienced Arctic explorer Bob Shepton for the film of his breathtaking sailing and big-wall climbing expedition among Greenland's fjords. The plan: load a 33-ft sailing boat with climbers, take them to some of the most remote and highest big walls in the world and watch them go! This amazing adventure culminated in an ascent of an 850-metre sea wall straight from the sea.  Plus a screening of award-winning film 'The Long Hope' by Paul Diffley featuring the incomparable Dave MacLeod and his 1000ft ascent of St John's Head on the Island of Hoy in only one day!

Climbing Night - A lecture from the maverick master of climbing Johnny Dawes. This quirky show involves unseen video, award-winning film, writings, drawings and Dawes's notorious approach to communicating using metaphor and humour. What lies at the centre of genius and how do you find it? Where does the limit lie? Come along for an entertaining evening exploring the links between climbing and art, the universe and everything!

The Best of Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour Film Night - Always a sell-out, this is your chance to see the best in inspiring mountain films from around the world. This year's selection includes incredible films about skiing, ice-climbing, slack-lining, mountain rescues and, oh yes, one Australian's quest to follow in the footsteps of Genghis Khan. Don't miss it! 

There will also be plenty of opportunity for both novices and experts to hone their skills through inspirational workshops in mountain skills, avalanche awareness, winter walking and winter climbing in the Outdoor Capital; as well as both indoor climbing and ice climbing at Kinlochleven's Ice Factor Indoor Climbing Centre.

To find out more and to buy your festival tickets go to - www.mountainfestival.co.uk/

[The Fort William Mountain festival wish to thank the following sponsors and supporters: Outdoor Capital of the UK, Ellis-Brigham, Alpine Bikes, Marine Harvest, Nevis Range, Hotscot, Nevis Cycles, Tiso, John Muir Trust, Allround Signs, Crannog Restaurant, Highland Wood Energy, Nevissport, No Fuss Events, Big Tree Campervans, Nevispix, Highland Activities, Abacus Mountain guides, Trailab, Granite House, Bill Scott Architects.]