Half term heaven in a place in Scotland

It may be the only solid banker and safe bet this season but a half term break to the Outdoor Capital of the UK is one investment the family won't regret. Britain's active holiday hotspot in Fort William and Lochaber has more outdoor pursuits per square mile than anywhere else in Europe. So head north for the half term and enjoy the great outdoors on a small budget.

Incorporating 2000 square miles of ancient, beautiful, wild, rugged, exciting countryside on the north west coast of Scotland the Outdoor Capital has more than 70 different outdoor activities to choose from.

Whether you're interested in adrenaline fuelled extreme sports, a wild family adventure or relaxation and tranquility, the Lochaber area is bursting at the seams with cultural and sporting activities. Walking, climbing, mountain biking, kayaking, rafting, sailing, quad-biking, canyoning, coasteering, wildlife watching, fly fishing, and many other stress busting leisure and cultural pursuits - you name it, you can do it in the Outdoor Capital of the UK.

This half term is the perfect chance to discover riches and enjoy some unforgettable experiences close to home in the Outdoor Capital. Just to whet your appetite for the perfect mini break check out these indoor and outdoor pursuits for the whole family to enjoy:

The sky's the limit!
Ice Factor in Kinlochleven have added to vertical challenges of their indoor climbing and ice climbing walls with a breathtaking new high ropes adventure course. At 15 metres above the ground intrepid skywalkers of all ages can tackle tightropes, cargo nets, balance beams, shaky bridge steps; and make the 'leap of faith' from platform to platform. They also have a scream inducing giant swing, dropping the daring from a great height and swinging them 50 metres for a rush no fairground could compete with. ice-factor.co.uk

Fall for fishing hook, line and sinker….
For all those keen to catch a trout or to perfect their fly fishing skills Great Glen Holidays offer a three day package of fly fishing instruction in their own trout ponds. Self catering accommodation is provided at Great Glen Chalets, Torlundy, just outside Fort William Quiet wooded site with superb views of Ben Nevis. fortwilliam-chalets.co.uk

Deer! Oh Deer!
As winter sets in and herds of wild red deer descend to lower levels in search of easier feeding Nevispix offer half and full day wildlife safaris. At this time of year experienced guides can almost guarantee getting close enough to these magnificent creatures without the need for a telephoto lens or a high powered pair of binoculars! Golden eagles, sea eagles and winter migrants are regularly seen soaring high above the glens and even if the deer don't put in an appearance, most magnificent scenery is definitely guaranteed. nevispix.com

Give Loch Linnhe your seal (otter and porpoise) of approval!
Discover life on, in and around Fort William's beautiful Loch Linnhe. Crannog's Seal Island Cruise offers visitors to the Highlands a truly unique experience. The 90 minute cruises, sailing from the historic town pier in Fort William aboard Souter's Lass, give families the opportunity of seeing common and grey seals, otters, porpoise, the occasional golden eagle and many other species of native wildlife whilst gliding through the clear waters of Loch Linnhe, the UK's deepest sea loch.

The cruise also includes a visit to a working salmon farm on the way to the rendezvous at Seal Island, a craggy outcrop which has for many years been a favourite with Loch Linnhe's seal population. Passengers will also have numerous opportunities to film and photograph the astonishing local scenery of Lochaber, including outstanding views of the southern face of Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain. Each cruise is augmented by a highly informative and entertaining commentary provided by Souter's Lass' skipper. oceanandoak.co.uk

Sea wildlife you've never seen before
Sea Xplore offer fast boat wildlife tours, specialising in a unique combination of high adventure and pure exhilaration, with the thrill of close encounters with Scotland's magnificent sealife and scenery. The interactive marine eco-tours are the perfect way to experience the natural wealth of Lochaber's history, folklore and wildlife. Porpoise, seals, dolphins, whales, basking shark, otter, eagles, and a wealth of sea birds can be spotted on the daily one and two hour adventures. The high speed modern Rigid Hulled Inflatable Boat (RIB) seats 12 passengers and includes parent and child seats to give an all round family experience.

For the even more adventurous, SeaXplorer can take families on remote coasteering trips exploring the usually inaccessible coastline by boat and allowing adventurers to scramble, cliff jump, swim and climb along the dramatic coastline of the Outdoor Capital. seaxplorer.co.uk

We know you're going to bike this…
If dry land is more your thing then don't miss the chance to explore Forestry Commission Scotland's Leanachan Forest, home to the Mountain Bike World Cup Cross Country Trails, on a guided bike tour. Highland Activities will give riders of all ages and abilities the opportunity to see some of Scotland's most dramatic scenery from the saddle. highlandactivities.co.uk

After working up an appetite by biking on the World famous Witch's Trails in you can enjoy the log burning stove and homemade soup and baking in the Pinemarten coffee shop at the Nevis Range gondola base station. Or if you want to experience the mountain views and autumn colours of the Great Glen the easy way take a trip on the mountain gondola to the Snowgoose restaurant & bar … 650m up. nevisrange.co.uk

These are just a few of the activities that have made Fort William a Mecca for outdoor enthusiasts so for more info on why the Lochaber area is Britain's Outdoor Capital check out Outdoorcapital.co.uk.