Copyright inverness-courier
ACTIVE OUTDOORS: John Davidson tries out some of the activities on offer as this year’s Loch and Land Festival drew to a close Dores beach can be a cold place at the best of times with the wind often blowing up the Great Glen, so holding an outdoor festival there at this time of year could be seen as a bit of a risky strategy. The Loch and Land Festival finale returned to the shores of the Loch Ness at the weekend after being held at Fort Augustus last October. Emma Harrison, destination development manager at Visit Inverness Loch Ness, who organised this year’s event, admitted they were “taking a punt” holding the festival when the weather could be a little unpredictable. She said: “We try to promote that we’re a year-round destination and we really believe that, so we have taken a punt with this being October, but we want to promote businesses in the area like the Loch Ness Hub and Travel. “I think a lot of people don’t know what’s on their doorstep, so it’s about coming here to try and find a little bit more. I’m currently looking over at some curlers – how many people know you can actually go curling in Inverness? I’m not so sure that everyone does.” The Inverness Ice Centre had a portable ice rink – or at least a “dry” curling rink with stones that run on bearings – at the event, which children and grown-ups were enjoying trying out. The centre is run privately and is keen to promote the many activities on offer including curling, ice hockey and ice skating; it also plays host to the popular Strictly Inverness fundraiser for Highland Hospice as well as providing a space for local sports and community groups. There was plenty more besides curling for people visiting the festival field beside the beach to enjoy. I was fortunate enough to get a place on one of the sea kayaking taster sessions being offered by local activity provider, In Your Element. After a quick briefing and kit selection, we launched from the beach and enjoyed some basic skills and a short journey around the bay to Torr Point in a fortunate spell of sunshine. I always enjoy getting out on the water – there’s something special about spending time in a boat and it had been too long since I’d had my own sea kayak out! While I like to stay above the water, there were others who were taking it further and going wild swimming in the cold waters of Loch Ness, before warming up in the sauna tent. I also had a go at archery with Bowhunter Archery, which is based near Nairn and offers an unusual mix of woodland archery trails and axe throwing. Hundreds of people attended the event – which rounded off a week-long celebration that included talks, walks and various outdoor activities – despite the mixed weather which saw a few gazebos struggling to stay upright and the odd shower passing through. Among the other hands-on activities and experiences on offer was inflatable ten-pin bowling with Hollywood Bowl, Highland games, dancing, storytelling and traditional music, as well as food and drink stalls. E-bike mini-tours were taking place with 42 Cycling and there were stalls from the Loch Ness Hub, Inverness Castle Experience, Dundreggan Rewilding Centre and the National Trust for Scotland’s Hugh Miller’s Cottage, among many others. Emma added: “The Loch and Land Festival is all about the celebration of things to do in the area all year round, so things from kayaking and canoeing to biking and walks – we’ve even got people going in the water to wild swim today. “It’s also a celebration of all our local businesses in the area, including activity providers but also food and drink businesses, including whisky of course.” Oh yes, I also enjoyed a small sample of the Singleton 15 year old courtesy of the Glen Ord distillery at Muir of Ord. A real treat and something to warm the insides after a refreshing few hours of outdoor fun. The festival certainly opened my eyes to more of what is on offer in the area, including some things I might not have discovered otherwise. Ellen Fogel Walker, destination director at Visit Inverness Loch Ness, said: “It’s just fantastic to see the hive of activity and what it can bring, and to see so many families enjoying it as well. “Really, we are holding this festival to showcase not only for tourists what the area can offer but what’s on your own doorstep as well. I think we don’t say enough about being a tourist in your own town and the importance of that, and really appreciating what we have. “It’s really good to see how businesses have responded as well.” Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.
