Everything about Knoydart totally explained
Knoydart (
Scottish Gaelic:
Cnoideart) is a
peninsula in
Lochaber,
Highland, on the west coast of
Scotland.
Natural Environment
Knoydart is sandwiched between Lochs
Nevis and
Hourn — often translated as
Loch Heaven and
Loch Hell respectively.
The northern part of what is traditionally known as
na Garbh-Chrìochan or "the Rough Bounds", because of its harsh terrain and remoteness, Knoydart is also referred to as "Britain's last wilderness". Only accessible by boat, or by a 16-mile (26 km) walk through rough country, its seven miles of tarred road are not connected to the UK road system. There is no vehicle ferry to Knoydart, but passenger services are operated from Mallaig to Inverie by Bruce Watt Cruises, and from Arnisdale and Kinlochhourn to Barisdale by Arnisdale Ferry Service.
Designated as a
National Scenic Area, Knoydart is popular with hill walkers, mountaineers, sailors and wildlife enthusiasts. It includes the
Munros of
Ladhar Bheinn (1020 m) and
Sgurr na Cìche (1040 m).
History
Traditionally the land belonged to the MacDonnells of Glengarry. Prior to the 1745
Jacobite Rebellion the population numbered nearly a thousand and in spite of much emigration, mainly to Canada, remained at that level in 1841.
In 1852 four hundred of the inhabitants were given notice of eviction for the following year and offered passages overseas, originally to Australia, but later their destination was changed to Canada. On 9 August 1853 three hundred and thirty inhabitants from the west coast of the peninsula went on board the
Sillery and left for Canada. However, 11 families comprising over 60 people refused to go and the story of their eviction became notorious as part of the infamous
Highland Clearances. Knoydart was finally sold by the MacDonell family in 1856, passing into the hands of an Ayrshire ironmaster,
James Baird of Cambusdoon.
In 1948 an unsuccessful land raid was undertaken by the 'Seven Men of Knoydart' who attempted to claim land in the ownership of the estate for their own use. Their claims were contested by the estate owner, the
Second Baron Brocket who took the case to the
Court of Session which ruled against the land-raiders. An appeal to the
Secretary of State for Scotland was rejected and the Seven Men gave up their fight to obtain crofts on Knoydart. A cairn commemorating the Land Raid was unveiled at Inverie in 1981.
Present Day
Inverie is the only village on the peninsula, which has a resident population of roughly 100 adults. There is a post office, a primary school, and a variety of accommodation for visitors, including
B&Bs,
bunkhouses and self-catering accommodation. The Old Forge Inn, Knoydart's only
pub, is the remotest on mainland Britain.
The Knoydart Foundation was established in 1997 to take ownership of the 17,500-acre Knoydart Estate which makes up much of the peninsula. The Foundation bought the estate in 1999. It is a partnership of local residents, the
Highland Council, the
Chris Brasher Trust, Kilchoan estate and the
John Muir Trust. Their aim is to preserve, enhance and develop Knoydart for the well-being of the environment and the people. The Foundation operates a micro
hydro-electric scheme which provides power to the estate.
In May 2005 the
Highlands and Islands Community Energy Company hosted its first conference in Inverie, during which the company was officially launched. A new pier at Inverie was officially opening on 24 August 2006 by Tavish Scott MSP.
[Further Information]
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