The organisers of Fort William Mountain Festival have announce an exciting line-up for the 2026 programme, taking place in Fort William and across Lochaber, the Outdoor Capital of the UK, from Thursday 12 to Sunday 15 February 2026.
This year’s festival promises a packed schedule of inspirational speakers, thought-provoking films, creative workshops, outdoor activities, live performance, competitions and awards. Since its launch in 2004, the festival has grown into one of the UK’s leading celebrations of mountain culture, and 2026 will be no exception:
Join us to be inspired and discover your adventure
In this podcast John D. Burns will be talking to Festival Co-Coordinator, Hannah Francis, about the exciting programme she has been helping to put together as Scotland’s outdoor community comes together for its annual gathering.
Katie MacKay is a climbing and mountaineering instructor based in Scotland and the Lake District. Alongside her friend, Kirsty Gillan, she undertook a self-powered journey to link 100 climbing routes across the UK, covering 1600 kilometres by bike and 10,000 metres of climbing in 32 days and adventure fuelled by friendship, resilience, and a love for doing hard things just to see if they are possible.
Katie will be speaking at the People Power event at the festival.
Katie MaKay
Programme Highlights
The 2026 programme brings together an exceptional blend of talks, films, performance and workshops that capture the full spirit of mountain culture. Audiences can look forward to insights from leading adventurers and storytellers, including Hamish Frost and Ryan Balharry on mountain photography and the realities of capturing adventure in the Scottish mountains; record-breaking endurance athlete, Holly Wootten, shares the defining moments of her journey to winning the Dragons Back race 2025, one of the world’s toughest multi-day mountain challenges across Wales’ rugged spine; and Al Todd, Snowsports Director of Mountaineering Scotland, recounts the thrills and challenges of 30 years of ski touring in the Highlands. Themes of risk, resilience and the environment run throughout the programme, from the adrenaline-fuelled ‘Risk Extreme’, a panel discussion exploring the balance between risk and reward through the eyes of those who live for adventure, to ‘Our Seas’, with Ocean advocate Cal Major.
Evenings promise powerful shared experiences with the International Film Night & Awards, a Climbing Night featuring Patagonia athlete Pete Whittaker and the presentation of the Scottish Awards for Excellence in Mountain Culture. Further highlights include snowsports and paddling film sessions, a family adventure film event, and an evocative performance of Iona Lane’s new album Swilkie. The festival’s intimate Bothy Sessions return, while People Power brings together Alex Staniforth, Katie MacKay and Markus Stitz to explore the limits of human powered adventures. Lily Canter, an ultra-runner, journalist, and co-author of Ultra Women: The Trailblazers Defying Sexism in Sport, will shine a light on female endurance athletes, and Mountain Voices will weave stories and song that celebrate Scotland’s landscapes.
