100 YEARS OF ‘THE VOLLEY’- Live Music Festival 13th - 15th June
Situated right in the centre of the town, Fort William’s Volunteer Arms has a long history and story as the public bar which has served up tradition as well as drinks over many generations. Despite this, many people will be surprised to learn that the present building dates back only to 1925, so this June marks its centenary.
To celebrate this, owner David Smillie has organised a Live Music Fest starting on Friday 13th until Sunday 15th featuring a large number of bands, local and visiting, most of whom have played there before and proved to be very popular.
Over the years ‘The Volley’ as it is affectionately known has undergone quite a few refurbishments to improve customer experience, while still retaining many original features such as the hand crafted, ceiling high wooden gantry. Described as a ‘mastery of joinery’ it has also stood the test of time even when, in 1930, an extension was added to the building and builders worked around it without causing damage.
More recently, David removed a series of booths, in what one regular said was “Going back to go forward”, opening up the space for more seating and meeting as it would have been originally. Another change at this time was the extension of the bar by removing the ‘old man’s corner’ on one end. The story behind this is that as regular customers grew older they gradually worked their way along it until settling around the corner which was nearest the entrance.
However, while this may have gone, the underlying tradition of ‘The Volley’ as a right of passage remains for locals for whom it is almost certainly the first pub to visit when reaching drinking age. Keeping up with the changing demands of the times, live music is a regular feature as well as a range of cocktails alongside 52 different whiskies, wines, beers and other spirits. On those occasions when the Lochaber weather allows, there is also an outdoor seating area which is always popular.
Many historic events have taken place literally just outside the door, with even the name Volunteer Arms possibly originating from 1793 when the Cameron Highlanders were formed with volunteers from the surrounding countryside in Cameron Square just yards from the hostelry.
Moving forward a hundred or so years to 1911, the first ascent of Ben Nevis by a motor vehicle began right beside the Volley when Ford dealer Mr Alexander from Edinburgh set off in his Model T from the spot where the Bronze statue now sits. History also still connects the Volunteer Arms to present day events, with the final leg of the Scottish Six Days Trial taking place just across the Square where bikers tackle the ‘Rocky Brae’ as they have done for almost 90 years.
These days when the weather is nice, customers can also enjoy the sights and ‘drink in’ the history of the street in a spacious and convenient seating area.
One hundred years may have passed since the ‘new’ building was opened, but the Volunteer Arms remains every bit as popular as it has been throughout its history.
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