Nigel's Photo Blog

  Introduction This evening, I am posting information on the secluded village of Kinlochleven (pop 1100) which is set in the Scottish Highlands against a backdrop of stunning scenery comprising mountains, Loch Leven, a river, moor and woodland. Information on Kinlochleven   By road, Kinlochleven is twenty-two miles S.E. of Fort William and seven miles east of Glencoe . The name translates as 'at the head of Loch Leven'. Morning view of Kinlochleven from West Highland Way  View of Loch Leven from vantage point of West Highland Way. Despite many attractive features, Kinlochleven does not receive the high volume of tourists who frequent nearby Fort William and Glencoe. However, the village is conveniently situated on the line of the  West Highland Way , a long distance hiking trail which is used by some 30,000 people each year many of whom use Kinlochleven as an overnight stop-over. The village rose to prominence in 1909 upon commissioning of a huge aluminium smelter w...

Kinlochleven, Scotland This evening, I am posting information on the remote town of Kinlochleven in the Scottish Highlands.The name translates as 'at the head of Loch Leven'. Kinlochleven lies close to the popular destinations of Glencoe and Fort William but does not experience the same volume of visitor numbers as these places notwithstanding the excellent scenery (lochs and mountains) ion the vicinity. Kinlochleven owes its origins to an aluminium smelter built in 1909 which was powered by a massive hydro-electric scheme using water from a dam created in the mountains, high above the town. The smelter was closed in 2000 after which substantial assets and land were transferred to a local Community Trust. However, electricity generation continues. Kinlochleven is reinventing itself as an outdoor activity centre. The West Highland Way ensures a regular flow of visitors as the town is situated on that long-distance hiking route. Loch Lev...

(Image above is a capture of Kinlochleven.) Kinlochleven is a  small community (pop 1100) at the eastern end of Loch Leven in the  Scottish Highlands. The name translates as 'at the head of Loch Leven'. Kinlochleven owes its origins to an aluminium smelter which was built in 1909 and powered by a massive hydro-electric scheme using water from a dam created in the mountains, high above the town. The smelter was closed in 2000 after which substantial assets and land were transferred to a local Community Trust. However, electricity generation continues. Kinlochleven is reinventing itself as an outdoor activity centre. Being out on a limb, Kinlochleven is often by-passed by the large volumes of tourist traffic travelling on the A82 between Fort William and Glencoe. However, the long distance hiking route known as the West Highland Way is routed through Kinlochleven and thus ensures a steady flow of people traffic. The key attractions at...