ARTIST’S INFORMATION

The Nevis Landscape Partnership are Outlandia’s partner for the Artist Residencies. You can see a list of their projects locally here︎︎︎

Facilities

Outlandia is off-grid and has no facilities. You are advised to consider weather forecasts and to bring appropriate clothing and footwear and midge repellent (in the summer). The closest toilet facilities are situated at the Glen Nevis visitor centre ︎︎︎ From the visitor centre you can cross the River Nevis by footbridge and it is a short walk to the Ben Nevis Inn︎︎︎ (the best pub around which does great lunches and suppers and has live music some evenings).

Costs

Outlandia is currently unfunded and you will be responsible for all of your own costs including accommodation and travel. It is forbidden by the terms of our lease with The Forestry Commission to stay overnight at Outlandia. Here is a list of nearby hostel, camping, guest-house, cabin and hotel accommodation︎︎︎

Transport - Arriving

Fort William is the nearest town to Outlandia (3 miles away).

Air - Glasgow and Inverness airports are 98 and 70 miles respectively from Fort William. Prestwick Airport is 45 minutes south of Glasgow.

Rail - Scotrail operates a train service from Edinburgh and Glasgow to Fort William, with sleeper services from various cities in England. Coach – Scottish City Link︎︎︎ operate a regular service to Fort William.

Transport – in and around Fort William

Stagecoach operate the local bus services and run five buses a day from Fort William to Glen Nevis (no. 41). The West Highland rail line goes to Banavie, Glenfinnan, Lochailort, Easdale, Arisaig and Mallaig on the Atlantic coast. This section of the West Highland Line is considered to be one of the most scenic Railways of the World. In the summer months a steam locomotive train operates from Fort William to Mallaig. Also see Bike Hire, Car Hire and Taxis in Fort William.

Context

Fort William is a small rural community at the foot of Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis. There was a military fort and Redcoat Army garrison at Fort William in the 1700s during the occupation of the Highlands by the English. Glen Nevis has had a very turbulent history. It has been home to the Cameron family since 1536. During the Jacobite rebellion Glen Nevis was a place where Highlanders would plan their attacks on the garrison Fort where the English soldiers were kept under siege for two days in April 1746. Today, Glen Nevis is still the home of the Cameron family.

Telford's Caledonian Canal was opened to merchant shipping in 1822 that developed Victorian tourism. In 1926 The British Aluminium Company opened a hydro-powered smelter. In the 1960s and 70s paper processing, forestry and fish-farming developed Fort William's population and economy.

Fort William and Glen Nevis lie on a geological fault line that makes for a stunning topography. It is a mountainous area of great beauty with glens, forests and sea lochs. Fort William is located at the southern end of The Great Glen, where the sea meets the Rivers Nevis and Lochy. Glen Nevis is a very picturesque Highland glen. The River Nevis flows through on its short journey to the sea from the rainfall that pours onto Ben Nevis and the surrounding mountains, and is a major feature of the glen with several spectacular waterfalls. There is an exciting gorge which provides an easy but rewarding walk through to Steall Falls. Glen Nevis is considered one of the best examples of a glaciated valley in Scotland. Forestry paths offer a choice of walks. Glen Nevis is towards the end of the West Highland Way - a 95-mile walking route between Glasgow and Fort William.

Fort William has been designated the Outdoor Capital of the UK with recreational activities including skiing and snowboarding. Ben Nevis is 4,409 feet above sea level and 100,000 visitors climb it each year. You can view the mountain with less exertion on the Nevis Range Mountain Gondola. Outdoor events include the Glen Nevis River Race (July), Lochaber Highland Games (July), Ben Nevis Race for fell runners (September), Downhill Mountain Biking Championships, Ben Nevis Half Triathlon/Iron Man Race (swim, bike, run). Cultural venues and events in Fort William include The Lime Tree Gallery, The Nevis Centre, The West Highland Museum, Nevis Radio - one of the first local community radio stations to be set up in the Highlands (96.6FM and online), Fort William Mountain Festival (March), and The Glen Nevis Visitor Centre.

You can find more information on Fort William and Glen Nevis, including the Ben Nevis Webcam︎︎︎

Dogs

Artists’ dogs need to be on a leash while on footpaths and boardwalk approaching Outlandia. Dog poo on paths, boardwalk and vicinity of hut needs to be collected and disposed of responsibly. On completion of residency the AIR is expected to sweep the space, bag-up and remove rubbish.