Helping you to discover some of the excellent greenspaces & health initiatives in Lochaber
We have created a Directory to help you decide what activity may suit you best. While every effort is made to ensure that the content of this directory is up to date, from time to time, information may have expired. Please contact us if you experience any problems.
The map below will help you to find activities close to you. Not all services will feature on the map, as many have locations that vary. We also encourage you to look at the accompanying list of activities by category on this page. To save or print a copy of the list please click the icon to the top right of the webpage.
Many of the activities are free of charge but some services may incur a charge. Many services are available to everyone while some require a referral from a health professional. If you wish to participate in a service requiring a referral, please discuss this with your GP or other health practitioner.
If you don’t feel ready to get out in to nature just yet, there are a number of transitional activities that could help you get there.
Directory Key
The key should help you to decide which activity will suit you best. This is only indicative, and we would encourage you to contact the activity provider direct, if you have concerns about it’s suitability for you.
Have a group or initiative and would like to be included?
Community greenspace
Lochaber Environmental Group
Lochaber Environmental Group – working to reduce carbon emissions and foster a sustainable future for the environment and communities of Lochaber; focusing on energy efficiency, renewable energy, active travel, local food production and waste reduction
Sunny Lochaber United Gardeners
Community growing group with allotments.
Darach Croft & Social Croft
Social crofting, green exercise and nature-based arts and crafts as well as walks for Mental wellbeing in partnership with High Life Highland rangers and Ewan’s Room.
Greenfingers Community Garden SCIO
The Greenfingers Community Garden provides space for individuals and members of the public to come along to take part in either scheduled activities or simply to visit the garden and to get involved in keeping the garden looking good. The garden area is used on a regular basis by the Montrose Centre and Lochaber Environmental group. The garden is located close to the Fort William Football ground at the foot of Ben Nevis.
Walking & running initiatives
Befrienders Highland
Our walking and gardening groups no longer meet – we found it really hard to sustain the membership, so we now signpost folk who have those interests to existing groups that meet in their locality, and our volunteers will go along with their friend if necessary when they first start, just for some moral support until their confidence grows.
Fort William Parkrun
Weekly 5 kilometer running/ walking event at Nevis Range, Fort William.
Health Walks
A health walk is a short, regular, and guided walk that is designed to help people improve their health and wellbeing. Health walks are typically led by trained volunteers and are open to people of all abilities and last no more than 1 hour.
Cycling initiatives
OFF BEAT BIKES
Cycle hire, cycle shop and outdoor swimming equipment.
Outdoor learning and play
High Life Highland Countryside Rangers
Explore Green Health with High Life Highland’s Lochaber Countryside Rangers!
Discover a variety of events and activities designed to raise awareness and appreciation of the stunning scenery, diverse wildlife, and rich heritage of the Highlands. In beautiful Lochaber, options range from footpath volunteering in Ardnamurchan, to a guided walk along the Caledonian Canal in Kilmallie, to nature based crafting sessions in Fort William Library.
Find out more:
- Visit our website: Countryside Rangers – High Life Highland Rangers
- Follow us on Facebook: Facebook
- Read our blog: Nature Unveiled | High Life Highland Ranger | Substack
- Find your local Ranger: Find a Countryside Ranger – High Life Highland Rangers
- Email us: outdoor.activities@highlifehighland.com
Join us and experience the beauty of Lochaber while promoting your well-being!
Stramash Outdoor Nursery
We provide the nurturing environment which inspires children to become resilient, empathetic and achieving in harmony with the natural world, its seasons and native climate. We do this through our network of outdoor nurseries and learning services to primary schools as well as our contribution to developing the young workforce working outdoors.
Swim Highlands
Based in Strontian, Ardnamurchan, qualified open water swim coach Laura McConnachie offers:
- 1 to 1 open water coaching
- small group coaching
- guided swims
- beginners or improvers
- wetsuit hire
Volunteering opportunities
Kinlochleven Community Trust
Kinlochleven Community Trust is a charity that works to improve the quality of live in Kinlochleven. We manage a variety of green spaces and have outdoor volunteering opportunities in gardening, path maintenance, woodland restoration, and conservation.
Trees for Life
Volunteer involvement in restoring nature, particularly in Glen Affric and Glenmoriston. Nature connection is a key part of our approach.
The Woodlands Trust
Management of woodlands for biodiveristy and people. Volunteering, events, tree planting, path work, interpretation on our owned sites.
Kilmallie Community Centre
We are a community centre that provides a location for people to carry out events. We also own the Kilmallie Community Gardens which need volunteers to help keep tidy.
Friends of Kinloch Castle Association
We are a group dedicated to the improvement and ultimate use of Kinloch Castle on the Island of Rum
Fort William Town Team
The volunteers within the group help with a huge range of activities, from weeding flower beds to creating historic trails for locals and visitors to follow when in the town.
Friends of Nevis
Regular volunteer events eg footpath work parties, conservation work parties, litter picks, community engagement events focusing on cultural and natural heritage.
Highland Third Sector Interface
Seek and view volunteering opportunities in your area!
Sustrans Volunteers
Sustrans volunteers look after the National Cycle Network. They help local people to walk and cycle. They improve our green spaces for wildlife. And they inspire young people in schools to get active.
Our volunteers are helping to create a better environment for us all. Even if you’ve got just an hour to give every so often. Or you can give us your time on a more regular basis. Whatever time you can spare, we’d really like to hear from you.
Other activities
Lochaber Beekeepers Association
Talks, visits to apiaries and learning about beekeeping
Lochaber Geopark
Geotours and talks about places of interest within Lochaber
Nevis Range
Nevis Range offers a wide range of outdoor activities for all the family, from mountain biking, to the mountain gondola, tree adventure and walking trails.
Lochaber Rural Education Trust
We meet in the Rural Education Centre, Lochaber Rural Complex where we teach life skills to all ages and abilities. Gardening and outdoor pursuits are also on the programme
Creative Arts
Spean Bridge Community Centre Art Group
Group of amateur artists, who aim to meet at the Spean Bridge Community Centre on a weekly basis. They then go to places close by to practice drawing and painting in the outdoors.
Arts in Nature
Arts in Nature supports people to engage with the outdoors and connect with nature in a creative way through the delivery of a variety of art and craft activities. All creative nature-based sessions have been designed to be relaxing, inspiring, flexible and fun! For more information please contact Charlotte, email: artsinnature@outlook.com
THE OUTDOORS
Breathe some fresh air into your life. The outdoors helps us cope with life’s ups and downs. Your local area can be the perfect place to enjoy tranquil spots, find peace and quiet and also have some fun, healthy, family time.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
Less than half of adults in Scotland visit the outdoors on a regular, weekly basis, and 14% don’t at all. Access to green space can help to protect the physical and mental health of both adults and children in Scotland.