A row has erupted over the location of the true “Outdoor Capital of the UK” with Sheffield being accused of trying to “steal” Lochaber’s crown.
The picturesque area of the Highlands, which includes Ben Nevis – the UK’s highest mountain – has been marketed under this brand for more than 12 years.
But the South Yorkshire borough has made an audacious bid for the title, claiming that outdoor activities such as climbing, cycling, mountain biking, walking and running, generated more than £53million a year for the local economy as well as encouraging people to be fit and healthy.
But Lochaber business leaders have not taken kindly to the urban upstart.
Lochaber Chamber of Commerce chief executive, Lesley Benfield said: “It has been the marketing brand for this area for many years.
“We have an abundance of mountains, glens, lochs, cycle routes and skiing, which are less likely to be available in a city.
“It is unbelievable that an urban area should claim to be the Outdoor Capital of the UK (OCUK).”
The claim made by Sheffield City Council followed a study carried out on behalf of the local authority by Sheffield Hallam University.
It showed that around 66% of people in Sheffield took part in outdoor recreation and that the city had more than 200 outdoor equipment businesses and the highest household spend on outdoor equipment in the country.
But Frazer Coupland, who is the Lochaber Chamber of Commerce’s destination manager, pointed out that tourism is worth more than £200million per year to Lochaber, most of which is related to outdoor activities.
He said: “OCUK has been our registered trading company for more than 12 years and the fact that Sheffield’s population is spending a vast amount of money on outdoor clothing hardly warrants the title of Outdoor Capital of the UK.”
He added that the chamber took any attempts by other areas to “pass themselves off” as the “Outdoor Capital” very seriously.
Mr Coupland said: “We have been challenged a few times over the past 12 years about our right to use the title and nobody has even come close.
“The Peak District is an area of beauty and interest, but it is not Lochaber.”
He added that the claim would be discussed at the next meeting of the chamber at which they would decide what action should be taken.
A spokeswoman for Sheffield City Council said it considered Sheffield to be the “Outdoor Capital City of the UK”. However, the word “city” appears to have been omitted in some reports on its status.