Kinlochleven.

Kinlochleven ( from the Gaelic 'Ceann Loch Leamhain' meaning 'head of Loch Leven' ), is situated 20 miles south of Fort William. It has a modern Visitor Centre and a population of just over 1000. Originally two small hamlets the village grew with the building of one of the largest Aluminium smelters in the world, which was in production between 1907 and 2000.

In Leven Road is the biggest ( 18 metre ) indoor ice climbing facility in the world, called 'The Ice Factor'. It features the UK's largest articulated rock climbing wall ( a variable pitch wall section ) and a competition-standard bouldering hall. The center claims to be the perfect place to practise, train and learn every conceivable mountaineering skill. | Visit the Ice Factor here |

The local 'Blackwater Reservoir' harnesses water from a catchment area of 62 square miles of surrounding countryside and the hydro-electric dam supplies power to the Fort William area. In the forest above the village, are the remains of a POW camp, built for prisoners of the First World War; nearby is the Grey Mare's Waterfall - one of the most spectacular falls in Scotland.

Accommodation info for Kinlochleven is on the | Over-night | page.

If this interests you, a related page is at | WHW Towns |


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