Few days walking - West Coast Scotland - Knoydart - any interest?

AberdeenAngus

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There is special place on the West Coast of Scotland called Knoydart.
Although on the mainland, the only way to get to it is a long walk or by boat.
One of the walking routes in is by way of Kinloch Hourn and is one of the best low level walks in Scotland.

The plan is:
Day 1
Travel to Fort William. Leave car there and get a taxi to the start at Kinloch Hourn (27 miles along the longest dead end in UK).
Walk Kinloch Hourn to Barrisdale. Camp or use public bothy. Toilet and fresh water available.
https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/fortwilliam/barrisdale-bay.shtml
Day 2
Walk Barrisdale to Inverie. Camping, hostel or B&Bs available.
https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=12838
Night in the Old Forge Inn (more below).
https://www.visitknoydart.co.uk/
Day 3
Ferry Inverie to Mallaig. Train back to Fort William. Home.

The walking is moderate. Approx 4 hrs (10 miles) each day. There are some climbs but they're steady going and on a good track.
https://walkingthecoastofgreatbritain.com/2018/04/17/3900/

The Old Forge
The Old Forge used to be a favourite pub of mine and i've had some excellent nights in there. However a few years ago it was taken over by a Belgian Basil Fawlty and it went down the shitter.
He tried to poncify it for tourists and yachties, whacked the prices up and banned a load of the locals.
This year however, it has been bought back by the locals.... I hope this means it'll be more like the way it used to be. Decent beer and maybe even live music. More info here https://www.theoldforge.co.uk/

I'm just gauging interest at the moment to see if anyone wants to join me.
Dates are flexible but probably end of May.
 
Possible but depends if I carry on after Dent on the bike, if I don't then it's an area I like a lot and be good to see how the pub is (Can up the distances a little or maybe add in some tops if required)
 
The Old Forge used to be a favourite pub of mine and i've had some excellent nights in there. However a few years ago it was taken over by a Belgian Basil Fawlty and it went down the shitter.
He tried to poncify it for tourists and yachties, whacked the prices up and banned a load of the locals.
This year however, it has been bought back by the locals.... I hope this means it'll be more like the way it used to be. Decent beer and maybe even live music. More info here https://www.theoldforge.co.uk/

That's good to hear. Exactly the same thing has happened recently at the Glenuig Inn. It might, again, be a place for a night or two's stopover on bike trips.
 
Thinking of heading north after Dent .... interested :thumb2

:beerjug:
 
If someone fancied the beer part of the plan but not all the walking you could get to Mallaig (ride, drive or train), ferry to Inverie where the Old Forge is, stay in the village then boat back out. And go for a walk from the village if desired.
 
There’s a smashing house just outside of Inverie that we used to rent and share with friends.
http://www.creageiridh.co.uk/
Good base for walking, fishing & stalking. Comes with its own land rover (visitors can’t take vehicles onto Knoydart).
About 10 mins walk to the pub.
There’s excellent free, long term parking in Mallaig. Can either get the regular ferry or get picked up by the guy who looks after the house.
 
If someone fancied the beer part of the plan but not all the walking you could get to Mallaig (ride, drive or train), ferry to Inverie where the Old Forge is, stay in the village then boat back out. And go for a walk from the village if desired.

Now that sounds more like it! :D Haven't ruled out the walking bit though.
 
It's not too far from Strontian which I thoroughly enjoyed Sept 2020, and the photos of the area look stunning.
I'm in pending the date, either the trek or the house is fine for me.:thumb2
The Mallaig ferry to Skye looks a good option for a few days after the walk/stay/beer.:)
:beerjug:
 
Fabulous plan, AberdeenAngus. I remember that first walk-in from Kinloch Hourn to Barrisdale can be a baptism of fire :) Especially with a loaded rucksack
Brings back happy memories, I had my 50th birthday party in the Old Forge, having compleated the Corbetts on the day of my birthday, had food a beers with friends in the pub. A truly atmospheric place is Knoydart :)
 
Fabulous plan, AberdeenAngus. I remember that first walk-in from Kinloch Hourn to Barrisdale can be a baptism of fire :) Especially with a loaded rucksack
Brings back happy memories, I had my 50th birthday party in the Old Forge, having compleated the Corbetts on the day of my birthday, had food a beers with friends in the pub. A truly atmospheric place is Knoydart :)

Of course the best way to Barrisdale is by helicopter to a bbq lunch with the (previous) owners family. Or blag a boat ride across from Arnisdale. There is a 'shallow' bit where you can swim your horse across as well. Options!
 
I really don't like that path from Kinloch Hourn, lovely scenery but that path makes it a long 8 miles.

I've canoed in there a few times and if you make proper use of the tides you can get in quick..and carry as much food / drink as required !
I watched a small aircraft ( something Cessna like ) land on what used to be a very basic landing strip and the occupants were loaded onto quads and whisked away to the estate bothy, presumably for their champagne and langoustine lunch...I'm pretty sure that Gerard was there :D
 
The owners of Barridale used to be the Gordon family. I think they've sold it now, but they used to fly from the family home at Lude....Blair Atholl....in and out. The old man, Sandy Gordon had a Tiger Moth They also used to own the quarry by the A9, and the garage in Blair. They also have Glenquoich.
 
I really don't like that path from Kinloch Hourn, lovely scenery but that path makes it a long 8 miles.

I've canoed in there a few times and if you make proper use of the tides you can get in quick..and carry as much food / drink as required !?..

It is a bit of a hike.
I’ve watched folk canoe past while I’ve been slogging along the path. I was the one muttering obscenities at you as you glided past…
Must admit, I would love to do it as a canoe trip. If you ever need a 2nd paddle … give me a shout.
 
It is a bit of a hike.
I’ve watched folk canoe past while I’ve been slogging along the path. I was the one muttering obscenities at you as you glided past…
Must admit, I would love to do it as a canoe trip. If you ever need a 2nd paddle … give me a shout.

Unfortunately I had to sell on all my canoe and kayak kit thanks to lower back issues but it was amazing while it lasted !
You could always go down this route https://backcountry.scot/packrafting/
 


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