The Fort William Mountain Festival 2019 programme has revealed.
It will feature a superb line-up of inspiring presentations, adrenaline filled and thought-provoking world-class film screenings, mountain skills workshops and exhibitions, all staged in and around the bustling Highland town of Fort William, at the heart of the Outdoor Capital of the UK, from Wednesday 20 to Sunday 24 February 2019.
Visitors to and residents of Lochaber can celebrate everything that the great outdoors has to offer at The Fort William Mountain Festival 2019, which is presented in association the Nevis Landscape Partnership, Heritage Lottery Fund, the Outdoor Capital of the UK, and the Highland Council.
Rod Pashley, chairman of The Highland Mountain Culture Association, organisers of the Fort William Mountain Festival, said: ‘Celebrating the wild landscape that surrounds us in Fort William and Lochaber is the inspiration behind the Mountain Festival. The mountains and glens influence our culture in many ways, whether it is the beauty of the landscape, our engagement with it or the opportunities we find in it.
‘The Fort William Mountain Festival has something for everyone with a love for the outdoors.
‘With an exciting programme of adventure and events taking place throughout the region the festival offers a superb line-up of inspirational talks from top climbers and mountaineers, mountain bikers, mountain runners and mountain filmmakers, together with exhilarating film screenings from cutting-edge outdoor adventurers; mountain skills workshops and exhibitions.
‘And it’s not just for high adrenaline adventure enthusiasts. It is for everyone who appreciates the great outdoors. With the best winter walking, climbing and snowsports conditions of the year, visiting Fort William and Lochaber in February for the Mountain Festival is the perfect time of year to experience the stunning landscape of the area first hand.’
The five-day programme, packed full of inspiration, education and entertainment, action and adventure, includes:
Festival Launch Night – Wednesday 20 February: The Launch Event is heading to Fort William High Street. Watch a torchlight descent on the mountains across the loch, which continues across the loch to the High Street for musicians, drummers, fire jugglers, films and music.
The Film Competition night – Thursday 21February: Relax at a night of winning outdoor adventure films. 2019 winners of the competition categories will be announced: People’s Choice, Best Short Film, Best Mountain Sports Film, Best Exploration and Adventure Film, and John Muir Trust Wild Places Film Prize. This year the new 2019 Young Photographer of the Year Award will also be presented.
The Scottish Winters Climbers’ Summit – Thursday – 21 February: Scottish winter climbers have always been at the forefront of world climbing, and Scottish winters are seen as one of the toughest climbing environments. This evening explores the condition of Scottish Winter Climbing and questions whether the ethical standards we set ourselves produce the best climbers or create an unhealthy elitism. Chaired by Dave MacLeod with guest speakers Simon Richardson and Guy Robertson.
Running Night with Jasmin Paris & Nicky Spinks – Friday 22 February: In 2016 Jasmin Paris had her biggest running year to date when she ran the three long distance UK rounds, the UTMB and World Skyrunning Extreme Series. Jasmin will share her love of the mountains, and the challenges of staying fit whilst juggling caring for a young baby and working full time as a veterinary scientist. Nicky Spinks, a British long distance runner, specialising in fell running, set women’s records for the major fell running challenges the Ramsay Round, the Paddy Buckley Round and the Bob Graham Round.
To find out more about the Fort William Mountain Festival 2019 go to www.mountainfestival.co.uk/
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