Lochaber canyoners paint the town red

An extreme sports company in Lochaber is taking the plunge with a raft of new activities for the brave.

Climbing, abseiling and kayaking are just some of the adrenalin buzzes that Vertical Descents can now offer after a recent expansion.

And they hope their new paintballing venture will go down well with locals and visitors alike.

For over six years, Howard Baggott and Ben Starkie have been offering thrill-seekers the chance to go canyoning, running, climbing and abseiling down waterfalls.
 
The company soon branched out to offer archery, mountain biking and other water sports. After a short time, they were putting together activity packages.

The site at Inchree, near Fort William, is in the perfect setting for daredevils - it's the highest run canyon in the country. Combine that with the natural attraction of the Highland wilderness and it is no wonder that the venture has been a roaring success.

Ben said: "Things have been going well, and we are busy with activity packages for much of the year."

But the extreme sports specialists like to take everything to the limit, and recently decided it was time to make a splash again.

This time, they wanted to add more activities to the already successful Vertical Descents experience - paintball, climbing and abseiling, kayaking and canoeing, white water rafting, and problem solving.

Andy Burton, a partner in the paintballing venture, explained: "What we're hoping to do is target the local market a bit more - a lot of the activities we do at the moment are more tourist-based. This is something new.

"We think the paintballing especially will go down well. It's great for work nights out, stag parties, hen nights, company challenges and team-building courses."

The expansion also gives the company a chance to focus on a more specialist market. Instructors are now able to offer officially recognised courses in swift water rescue, which will be offered to mountain rescue team members.

Lochaber Enterprise has given the project an injection in the shape of a £1,550 development grant.

Lochaber chief executive Charlotte Wright said: "Vertical Descents is an excellent example of the type of business venture which confirms Lochaber's place as the Outdoor Capital of the UK, offering exciting and challenging activities which take advantage of the natural environment.

"I'm sure it will prove popular with locals and visitors alike."

It is hoped the new activities will increase turnover by over £40,000 in the first three years, and create a new full-time job.

Andy added: "The enterprise money certainly helped us to get things moving more quickly."

For more information on Vertical Descents, email info@activities-scotland.com, visit www.activities-scotland.com or call 01855 821593.