The dramatic effect of Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain, is emphasised by the fact that it begins its rise from sea level on the shores of Loch Linnhe, to tower 4,406ft (1,344m) above the town of Fort William, providing an almost paternal presence.
What does ''Nevis'' mean? The river and glen running past the mountain both carry the name, as does the remote sea loch at Knoydart, 40 miles to the west. In Gaelic the mountain's name, Beinn Nibheis, has been linked with Irish and Gaelic words meaning poisonous or terrible, implying a fairly ominous character.
Tours that visit Ben Nevis:
From Edinburgh
Loch Ness and the Highlands (1 day)Glen Coe, Loch Ness and Inverness (1 day)
Glimpse of Scotland (2 days)
Jacobite Highlander (2 days)
Highlands and the Isle of Skye (3 days)
Over the sea to Skye (3 days)
Best of the Highlands (4 days)
Inverness, Skye and the Highlands (4 days)
Highland Explorer (5 days)
Road to the Isles (5 days)
From Glasgow
Loch Ness and the Highlands (1 day)Glimpse of Scotland (2 days)
Highlands and the Isle of Skye (3 days)
Over the sea to Skye (3 days)
Best of the Highlands (4 days)
Inverness, Skye and the Highlands (4 days)
Highland Explorer (5 days)
Road to the Isles (5 days)