VERTICAL DESCENTS
This company, based just outside Onich, offers a wide range of activities such as:
Mountain biking; climbing; abseiling; bridge swinging; paintballing; archery; white water rafting; funyaking and cannyoning.  For more information and prices call 01855 821593.

SEAFARI
Based in Oban and offering trips such as Corryvreckan Wildlife, whale watching and much more - call for information on 01852 300003.

GLENCOE MOUNTAIN RESORT
In winter choose from skiing, snowboarding, sledging or just take a trip on the chairlift to see the spectacular views - in summer they offer chairlift rides, downhill mountain biking and archery.

GLENCOE WOOLANDS GOLFING AND ACTIVITES
This small 9 hole golf course is situated in a beautiful setting with views of the mountains and Loch Linnhe and offers great food, wi-fi, segway and e-bike hire.

NEVIS RANGE
A mountian biking centre and ski resort offering a larger range of activities than Glencoe Mountain with the gondola taking you up to the restaurant and shop at 2200 feet.

THE ICE FACTOR
Based in Kinlochleven, this is the world`s biggest indoor ice wall.  Activities include rock climbing; ice climbing; giant swing and skyride aerial adventure course - levels to suit all ages and ability (currently closed, preparing for new management). Climbing is available in Fort William at the 3 Wise Monkeys Climbing Centre

TREASURES OF THE EARTH
You will be amazed by this incredible display of Europe`s finest private collection of crystals, gemstones and fossils which took nature more than 500million years to create.  Learn about the largest gold nugget ever discovered, the history of the Scottish gold rush and watch crystals magically change colour and glow in our UV care - an experience of magic and wonder which will leave the whole family in awe.

AROUND FORT WILLIAM
Just a few minutes north from Onich is the Corran car and passenger ferry which takes you over to Ardgour giving you the opportunity to explore Morvern and Ardnamurchan.  There are forest walks at Arundle and Strontian which are conveniently located for post-walk tea and cakes at Cozy Knits.  There are more walks in the Sunart Oakwoods and take your binoculars to spend a while in the new hide, enabing you to catch glimpses of the wildlife overlooking Loch Sunart.

There is a cafe at the Post Office in Acharacle and a great bakery if you are planning a picnic on the beach close to the ruined Castle Tioram or along the 3 Lochs Walk.  Take time to visit the spectacular beaches at the Singing Sands of Goertenfern and Ardtoe.

If you head out to the most westerly point on the British mainland at Ardnamurchan lighthouse, you will find a small visitor centre with gift shop and tea room.  Visit the stunning beach at Sanna and on the way call in at the excellent Ardnamurchan Natural History Centre near Glenborrodale.  You will find more beautiful white sand beaches if you head to Arisaig and Mallaig.

Day trips to the small isles such as Eigg and Rum can be taken from both Arisaig and Mallaig and although you can now drive over the bridge to Skye, it is still possible to take the boat from Mallaig.

A  short twenty minute drive along the shores of the loch north of Onich, you will find the visitor centre at the head of Glen Nevis where you can park and explore the low level paths or head further up the glen to the lower falls - spectacular scenery and well worth a visit.

From Fort William, take the steam train to Mallaig, enjoy the stunning scenery and crossing of the Glenfinnan viaduct where the famous Harry Potter was filmed.

Visit the famous Commando Memorial at Spean Bridge, take a detour down to Achnacarry and visit the Clan Cameron Museum.  Drive the Dark Mile and see Cia-Aig Falls and the Witches Cauldron Pool before reaching Loch Arkaig.

Head further north and take a cruise on Loch Ness, tak a stroll along the Caledonian Canal banks in the picturesque village of Fort Augustus or visit Urquhart Castle by the small village of Drumnadrochit where you will also find the Loch Ness Visitor Centre.

Heading south from Onich, why not take the pleasant coastal circular walk at Clach Thoul, starting just by the Pier House in Port Appin.  The quiet island roads on the Isle of Lismore are an ideal place to explore by bike, just park down by the pier and load your bikes onto the regular passenger ferry.  After your adventures, you can have lunch at the Castle Stalker View Cafe and shop overlooking the much photographed Castle Stalker which featured in Monty Pytho`s Search for the Holy Grail.

If heading to Oban visit the Oban Distillery and McCaig`s Tower or take the passenger ferry to Kerrera and walk to Gylen Castle.  Return via the Pass of Brander and Glen Orchy, calling in at Cruachan Power Station.

Sailings from Oban to Mull with CalMac Ferries or take the shorter and cheaper crossing from Lochaline to Fishnish - this is more convenient and a superb drive.  There are also a number of operators in Oban who will provide fully inclusive tickets for day trips to Iona and Staffa.

WALKS IN THE AREA
*  If you are looking for a walk from the front door, head left from the cottages, down the side road to the shores of Loch Linnhe or alternatively take a right at the fork junction and keep right as you head up the hill for spectacular views over the loch and Ardgour

*  Inchree Waterfall - a short steep trail leading you to spectacular views of the Righ Falls.  Turn left at top of side road, drive for approximately a mile, turn left at Inchree signpost and follow the road keeping to the right.  You will see signs directing you to the car park area from which the walk (approximately 40 minutes) is accessed

*  St Johns at Glenachulish - This is an easy two mile route taking you from the car park, across the glen to contour round the hillside, giving spectacular views before dropping back down to St John`s Church on the road to Ballachulish

*Glencoe Lochan - This woodland was planted by Lord Strathcoba in the 19th century in an attempt to recreate the Pacific Northwest for his homesick native-American wife.  A lochan (stocked with trout - fishing permits can be obtained from the tourist information centre in Ballachulish Village) nestles in the centre of the wood surrounded by majestic conifers and rugged mountains.  Head along the A82 passing Ballachulish and turn left at Glencoe Village, pass through the village and over at small bridge crossing the River Coe and the entrance to the woodland is signposted a few metres to the left

*The Grey Mare`s Tail Waterfall  - a short but steep walk to a the waterfall which is one of the most impressive in the region.  The route climbs up the hillside to and old lodge before returning to Kinlochleven - (route approximately 2 miles).  As you approach the Ballachulish Bridge from Onich, take a left at the signpost for Kinlochleven - the waterfall is signposted

*The Pap of Glencoe - situated just east of the village this attractive and rounded cone provides superb views of the Glencoe, Loch Leven and Ardgour hills and is a good half-day outing.  A straight-forward walk from the old road (approximtely half a mile from the bridge) leads into a gully and then across peaty moorland getting rocker as you climb and getting steeper over rock near the summit.  To reach your starting point, head through Glencoe Village, over the small bridge for about half a mile where you will see a forestry entrance on your left

There is an information pack in both cottages which provide details of further moderate to difficult walk, or please ask if you would like information

BEACHES
There are a variety of fantastic beaches dotted around the west coast of Scotland, the closest being the cobble beach at Cuil Bay, a few miles south on the Oban road.  The view down the loch is stunning, it`s a reasonable spot to windsurf and a great place to sit and watch the sun go down round a driftwood camp fire.

There are several beaches between Arisaig and Morar, with the most spectacular and famous being the one at Camusdarach.  White sands and azure waters, with a backdrop of the Cuillin Hills on Skye and most famous for the spot where Fulton Mackay lived in his upturned boat in the 1980`s film Local Hero. Walk between the rocky outcrops and you`ll find almost deserted smaller white sand beaches. Perhaps the best of all is the most westerly beach on the British mainland is Sanna at Ardnamurchan Point, a stunning drive whatever the weather.  If heading south towards Oban, try the large sandy beach at Tralee (near Benderloch) or the more popular Ganavan Sands which is just along from Oban town centre.

IF WET WEATHER
Click above for wet weather options - and not just for wet weather!