Peter MacFarlane. Photo: Iain Ferguson/The Write Image

A former head chef will head up a Highland ski and outdoor centre.

Peter MacFarlane has been appointed managing director of Nevis Range in Lochaber, which is also a major winter climbing venue and mountain biking Mecca.

He was born in Spean Bridge, six miles from the resort on the slopes of the munro Aonach Mòr.

The keen skier and mountain biker joined the business as head chef when it opened as a ski resort in 1989 and became catering manager in 1994. He has also held the position of executive director of the board for the past five years.

During his tenure he opened the new Pinemarten cafe bar at the gondola base-station, and ran large scale outside catering at various events held at Nevis Range, including the Mountain Bike World Cup. He is also currently overseeing a major refurbishment of the Snowgoose restaurant and bar at the gondola top station, high on the slopes of the mountain.

Mr MacFarlane said “I am really delighted to accept this position. Over my career here, I’ve watched the business diversify into new areas, such as mountain biking and ropes courses, and develop into a successful all-year-round sustainable tourism and activity business.

“We now have the opportunity to develop the business even further, and I’m really looking forward to the challenges ahead.”

The company is currently building a garage for its groomer machines on the upper slopes of the mountain and also building a 1.1MW hydro scheme.

Mr MacFarlane will take up the post this month and replaces Marian Austin who became MD in 2000 and who has taken on a new role overseeing the hydro scheme and other development projects.

The resort’s gondola is used by many winter mountaineers heading for the climbing routes on Aonach Mòr’s flanks.