Fort William, the largest town in the western Highlands of Scotland, sits at the head of a long inlet of the sea, Loch Linnhe. In a distance, as the crow flies, of just 7 kilometres, the land rises to the spectacular peak of Ben Nevis, which at 1,344 metres above sea level is the highest mountain in the British Isles. This dramatic change in elevation makes the area around Fort William rugged and challenging - and not just for humans. The precipitation that falls on the Grampian Mountains has to get down to sea level somehow, and over the millennia it has carved canyons, ravines and waterfalls into the landscape. The most famous of these is Steall Falls, which was the shooting location for Harry Potter’s battle with a dragon in the Goblet of Fire film, but we’re not here to talk about pretty views. Instead, we’re recommending Fort William and the Lochaber region as a prime location for taking part in one of the most intense outdoors activities around, canyoning.

Deep fissures in the land, rocky formations and tumbling white water, these are usually things that we try to avoid when we’re in the mountains, but canyoning puts them front and centre. With a few pieces of equipment to protect you from the elements, you can get down to the watercourse and start exploring. Some of the best destinations for this sport are within easy reach of the Highlands’ answer to Everest base camp. You’ll climb and scramble, jump and dive, and even use some fixed rope installations to make your way downstream between the canyon walls. Do you have what it takes? Find out here!

Where are the best places to go canyoning in Fort William?

• Ben Nevis: On the face of Ben Nevis itself, a canyon rips down towards sea level. It’s on the north side of the mountain, not far from the popular pony track summit trail, but it’s far more challenging and a great way to enjoy the mountain without having to make way for hordes of day trippers.

• Carn Na Nathrach: On the opposite side of Loch Linnhe, facing Fort William and Ben Nevis, is the isolated peak of Carn Na Nathrach. At only (only!) 786 metres tall, it’s often overlooked by mountaineers, but canyoneers know something that they don’t. There’s a canyon here which is like a natural adventure playground of boulders, plunge pools and waterfalls. It takes a while to get there, and a lot of effort to get down, but the rewards are huge.

• West Inchree: Also on the shores of Loch Linnhe, this town is one of the most popular starting points for canyoning excursions. The best site in the area is Allt Van Halen (no relation to the guitarist), which is beautiful, exciting, and has the added bonus that you can always bypass a particular scramble or jump if it looks too challenging for you - great for mixed ability groups.

• Grey Mare’s Tail: This waterfall route is breathtaking both visually and physically. It’s often featured on lists of the best canyons in Scotland, and for good reason. This is the kind of place that, once experienced, is never forgotten.

• Loch Laggan: This loch is located in a branch of the Great Glen, the huge valley that cuts across the highlands from Fort William to Inverness. There are several opportunities for canyoning here, like in the high intensity Allt na h-Uamha ravine, and trips that are advertised as Gorge Walking. Although there’s no official difference between canyoning and gorge walking, the latter tends to be more family oriented, with less rope work and easier obstacles. Spean Bridge is your starting point for one of these adventures.

• Further afield: Tour providers in the area don’t limit themselves to local canyons, they can also run trips to more distant, but equally rewarding, locations. There are great opportunities along the length of the Great Glen, or you can brave the challenge of Dundonnell canyon in the northern Highlands.

Options for organising an excursion, age and duration

- As is obvious from the characteristics of the various canyons in the Fort William area that we’ve listed above, each location has its own unique qualities and characteristics, and these make them better suited to different kinds of adventurers. If it’s your first time descending a ravine at water level, the right choice for you is one of the more gentle locations with a shorter itinerary. Options include Gorge Walking at Spean Bridge or the Allt Van Halen canyon near Inchree. These are particularly good choices for families, because children from 7 or 8 years old can take part, and they take 3 hours to complete.

- Some of Fort William’s canyoning adventures aren’t to be taken lightly. You might be asked to confirm that you’ve completed a route before, or have experience in similar sports such as climbing and caving, before joining an excursion to the Nathrach canyon, the Grey Mare’s Tail, or other locations. As well as the unforgiving nature of the canyons themselves, these routes are more challenging because they take longer to complete. If you go to Nathrach for example, it’s a 6 hour expedition that involves physical exertion and a lot of time in a damp wetsuit. Trips can be organised in some of these canyons for groups that include children over 10 years old, but other experiences are reserved for older teenagers and adults.

- The easiest way to get your canyoning fix here is by organising a group activity. If you’re in the Highlands with your family, or a group of friends, you can arrange a private excursion with a guide. If you’re alone or a couple, you might have to join some other adventurers and take a trip together.

What do you need to bring the day of the activity?

The great thing about this sport is that you don’t need a van to transport all the equipment around. The only things you need are a wetsuit, a lifejacket and a helmet to protect you from the elements in the rugged terrain around the area - and these will be supplied by your guide. You just need to bring a swimsuit to go under the wetsuit, an old pair of shorts to go over it and protect it from scrapes, and, most importantly, the right footwear. We recommend an old pair of close-fitting trainers with laces, that you can tie tightly to your feet and will give you some grip on wet rock. A towel, a set of dry clothes and an appetite for adventure are also highly recommended!

Dive in! Then climb out, then dive in again. You’re in for a treat if you book this adventure with us.