First women’s outdoor wear shop to open in Scottish Highlands

The brainchild of two Scottish entrepeneurs, dedicated women’s outdoor wear shop, Beinn Nibheis, is set to open its doors later this month in what is widely regarded as the outdoor capital of the UK, Fort William.

Founded by Lochaber native Eilidh Cameron-Sykes and Glasgow artist Alice NicBhatair, its thought that the women-owned store will be the first of its kind in the UK.

Fluent Gaelic-speakers, Eilidh and Alice were keen to incorporate an element of their heritage into the business, and the store is named in the Gaelic language after the UK’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis. As well as a range of women-specific outdoor wear from a number of trusted brands, the store will offer guidance for women with an interest in the outdoors and will also have a woman-owned bike repair service, Bike As You Are, on site.

Eilidh believes that women are often forced to compromise on quality or function in order to find active and outdoor sportswear that fits their form correctly, and this is something that Beinn Nibheis aims to change. The store’s LGBTQ+ inclusive, women-focussed ethos promises to create a safe space for women and ultimately be a driving force behind other brands expanding their womenswear ranges.

‘We want to see more technical outdoor wear for women that is both high quality and well fitting,’ says Eilidh. ‘There is a myth in the market that women will settle for less in technical-wear, which leaves them with little choice in sports such as ski-mountaineering and mountain biking. The market is still very heavily male-led, but we hope that by providing a female specific space we can encourage brands to improve their female offering.’