Those seeking some Scottish adventure, should head north-west to the Fort William Mountain Festival, a celebration of everything encompassing mountain culture, which takes place from 16 February – 3 March 2007. Now in its sixth year, the two-week festival, during the best winter walking and climbing conditions of the year, has a packed programme of events and activities including film, art, photography, literature, animation, original theatre, inspirational music and song, distinguished guest speakers and the opportunity to learn new skills in a series of inspirational workshops.

Situated on the north-west of Scotland, the Lochaber area, with Fort William as it largest town, is the UK's biggest natural playground, and one of Europe's foremost destinations for outdoor pursuits and adventure sports. The Outdoor Capital of the UK, is home to Scotland's highest mountain, the deepest sea loch and the world's largest indoor ice climbing wall. There's plenty to do and see in the area, including the opportunity to try your hand at canoeing, diving, sailing, climbing, hiking, ridge walking, canyoning, iceclimbing, road cycling, mountain biking, paragliding, skiing, boarding and more.

Scenic attractions include, the spectacular mountains that tower above Glencoe; the West Highland Way, Scotland's premier long-distance path, which starts –or ends – in Fort William, the small islands of Rum, Eigg, Canna and Muck, and the most remote corner of mainland Britain, the Knoydart Peninsula.

The Fort William Mountain Festival has something for everyone who wants to learn about and celebrate mountain culture and will put the Outdoor Capital of the UK at the centre of the celebrations for Highland 2007, the Year of Highland Culture

Festival Highlights include:

TALKS
The Return of the Ice Men – Saturday, 3 March; 7 pm; Nevis Centre Festival Theatre – Climbing legends, Jimmy Marshall and Yvon Chouinard, discuss the evolution of climbing and their own amazing experiences.

FILM
Best of Banff World Tour – Tuesday, 20 February and Friday 2 March; 7 pm; Nevis Centre – The Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour hits Fort William with two nights of amazing mountain films including 'Radical Reels' (20 February), the hottest collection of quirky, high-adrenaline outdoor films, and Best of World Tour (2 March), a series of stunning films that capture the spirit of the mountains with mesmerising cinematography. Experience freeride mountain biking action, lightweight alpine climbing, an exploration of the Mekong river by kayak, extreme skiing and boarding, and a daredevil stop-motion Lego-man intent on adventure;

The Big Paddling Weekend – Saturday, 17 – Sunday, 18 February; 7 pm; Nevis Centre – 17 February- Intrepid Kayaker Allan Ellard presents an audio-visual roller coaster about his experiences on white water expeditions around the world. 18 February - Sea kayaker, Justine Curgenven, shares her stories of 'Life on the High Seas; along with incredible film footage and highlights from her new film and Patrick Winterton recounts adventures from his incredible 870 mile paddle from Glasgow to the most northerly point in the British Isles as part of the Scottish Extremities kayak expedition.

Film Competition Results - After the success of the 2006 film competition, the festival is creating another opportunity for film makers from across the globe. Celebrating mountain life and culture, giving both amateur and professional filmmakers an opportunity to show their work and share their passion for mountain culture, the seven shortlisted films can be seen on an Afternoon Matinee of Competition Films on Saturday 24th February, Nevis Centre Festival Theatre, 2 - 4pm, £6/£2; and the winning films will be shown at Film Competition Winners Evening (includes prize-giving), Sunday 25th February, Nevis Centre Festival Theatre, 7-10pm, £6/£2.

THEATRE/TALKS
Timmy O'Neill – Wednesday, 28 February; 7 pm; Nevis Centre – 28 February - A unique theatre experience presented by world-renowned speed climber, film-maker and entertainer, Timmy O'Neill and Jeb Berrier who bring their view from the rarefied zone of 8,000 metre. Plus 'Strictly Scottish' a unique play devised and performed by the Lochaber Youth Theatre.

An Evening of Mountaineering; Thursday, 1 March; 7 pm; Nevis Centre – Opening with an exciting climbing demo, the evening concludes with Timmy O'Neill in conversation, sharing his amazing climbing experiences.

MUSIC
Songs of Mountain and Glen; 21 February; 7 pm; Nevis Centre - Renowned singer Anne Lorne Gillies, accompanied by Rhona MacKay on clarsach will be joined by a choir of combined Fort William Primary Schools, Coisir Og Lochabair in an uplifting evening of Gaelic song celebrating mountain landscapes and Lochaber's history and mountain landscapes.

EXHIBITIONS
Antarctic Witness – Shackleton's Legendary Antarctic Expedition; 17 February – 24 March; 10 – 6 pm daily/ The Lime Tree Gallery Frank Hurley's photographs were saved from the Endurance and bear witness to Shakleton's epic journey. Made up of photographs, journal entries, biographies and captions by Hurley about his fellow crew members, this Royal Geographical Society exhibition looks into the private realm of the men on board the Endurance.

Fort William Mountain Art and Photography Exhibition; 17 February – 3 March/ Nevis Centre; 6-7 pm/Free
Held in conjunction with the Art and Photo Exhibition, the People's Choice Original Art Competition promises to be an exciting and intriguing part of the festival. The public visiting the exhibition will be asked to vote, via a ballot system, for their favourite piece of work.

WORKSHOPS

There is more to the festival than watching. A series of ice-factor, mountain-bike and mountain, skills workshops give participants the opportunity to take part, become inspired and possibly try something new.

Brand new for this year's festival, is the John Muir Trust Writing Workshop. Led by Margaret Elphinstone, author and Professor of Scottish Literature at Strathclyde University, the workshop will allow budding authors to explore their ideas with help from a seasoned professional.

For further information and to buy tickets, contact: 01397 700001 or book online at www.mountainfestival.co.uk