Welcome to Kinlochleven High School
Fàilte gu Àrd-sgoil Ceann Loch Lìobhann

The Area

 

The school is set in an area of outstanding natural beauty which is rich in natural heritage and steeped in history. Close to Fort William, the 'Outdoor Capital of the UK', there is easy access to shops and facilities making the area an ideal base for those interested in outdoor pursuits.

Kinlochleven lies on the West Highland Way in a stunning setting at the head of a narrow sea loch and surrounded by mountains. The village grew up around the Aluminium Smelter, which exploited a perfect location by harnessing hydro-electric power from the surrounding lochs and mountains and exporting its products by sea. Once the largest smelter in the world, it had become both the smallest and the oldest by the time of its closure — after nine decades of production — in 2000. Recent developments in the village include the Atlas Micro Breweryand 'The Ice Factor'; a mountaineering centre which includes one of the world's most ambitious indoor ice climbing facilities.

Much of the regeneration of the village has been carried out under the guidance and supervision of the Kinlochleven Community Trust.

Glencoe with its superb scenery, skiing and mountaineering will forever be associated with the infamous Massacre of 1692, when MacIain of Glencoe and 37 others were murdered, on the direct orders of King William, in an attempt to exterminate the Glencoe MacDonalds. More peaceful now, the area includes an impressive National Trust Visitor Centre and the village is a scenic stopping off place for tourists and serious outdoor enthusiasts.

Ballachulish is famous for its slate, which was quarried for three centuries and provided roofing for buildings all over the country. With significant expansion to the quarries and the village in the second half of the nineteenth century, Ballachulish pre-dated Kinlochleven as the area's first major industrial centre. Now the quarry forms a tranquil heritage site and picnic area.

Duror on the border of Argyll & Bute is associated with the mysterious 'Appin Murder' of 1752, which provided the historical background for Robert Louis Stevenson's Kidnapped and Catriona.

Take a look at these video clips to see more of the area.