A chance to own the UK’S wildest pub
● So remote it’s inaccessible by road, The Old Forge on the Knoydart Peninsula offers intrepid investors a business opportunity well off the beaten track
An opportunity to acquire The Old Forge, said to be Scotland’s most remote pub, is being offered by Baird Lumsden, rural property arm of Dumfries-based DM Hall.
Situated in the village of Inverie on the shore of the Knoydart Peninsula near Mallaig in the north west of Scotland, The Old Forge operates as a restaurant and bar and has a dining capacity of 65 covers.
Built in 1880, the pub is a traditional whitewashed single-storey, cottage-style property set under a slate roof, and it has established a successful reputation for its seasonal and local produce.
Indeed, for decades, the Old Forge has been something of a magnet for hungry and thirsty members of the British outdoors community, The Guinness Book of World Records having declared it “the most remote pub on mainland Britain”.
In fact, visitors to the establishment need a spirit of adventure as well as an appetite. Knoydart is not connected to the main UK road system, but Inverie, the area’s main settlement, is accessible by an 18-mile hike from Glenfinnan, via helicopter – a registered helipad sits within the property’s grounds – or more commonly by a regular boat service from Mallaig.
The pier at Inverie has been significantly upgraded in recent years, with all moorings chains and shackles renewed in April last year.
The Old Forge has also seen some improvements made in recent times, with the addition of a sunroom overlooking the bay, but nevertheless it retains a considerable amount of original character and charm.
To the front of the property, an attractive lawned area slopes down to a beach. An attached cottage, comprising living room /bedroom and an en-suite bathroom, provides an opportunity for any new owner to stay on site. To the rear of the pub lie a range of outbuildings, including staff accommodation.
Jennifer Campbell, head of estate agency at Baird Lumsden, says: “This is truly a hidden gem, a rare opportunity to acquire an historic property in the untouched Knoydart wilderness.
“With its panoramic views and plethora of wildlife, this is an ideal setting for the outdoor enthusiast, with fabulous walks and watersports to be enjoyed from the property.”
Knoydart Peninsula is home to approximately 120 people and covers some
80 square miles of the Western Highlands. The area is sandwiched between Loch Nevis to the south and Loch Hourn to the north.
A designated National Scenic Area on the shores of Loch Nevis, the locale has a wild beauty that holds a fascination for walkers and climbers alike, all of whom would be potential clientelle for The Old Forge.
In addition to the bar and restaurant, Inverie has a nursery, primary school, library, post office, shop, pottery, and tearoom. Secondary schooling is available in Mallaig.
The Old Forge has a total site area of 0.26 acres, and offers over £425,000 are invited.
Campbell adds: “For full details, please contact me – jennifer.campbell@dmhall. co.uk. Business accounts and a full inventory, by separate negotiation, are available to interested parties through their appointed solicitor.”