Inverie has a population of less than 300 and is only accessible by boat or walking, with the nearest 24-hour pub a two-mile trek. But is it worth it? All signs point to yes
Milo Boyd Digital Travel Reporter
09:41, 30 Oct 2025
Inverie is tough to reach, but well worth it(Image: Andrew Lockie via Getty Images)
Throughout the Covid lockdown, Inverie’s residents faced challenges greater than most communities.
The tiny village of roughly 120 people depends entirely on the ferry service for everything from food and post to medicine and freight. Whenever Western Isles Cruises cannot run the ferry to Inverie – which happens frequently due to adverse weather – the village becomes completely cut off.
That’s because Inverie in Scotland cannot be reached by road, with only a two- to three-day trek over the mountains as an alternative. The ferry service is therefore the villagers’ sole lifeline to essential supplies.
Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, the usual 28 weekly sailings were slashed to merely three – operating on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday only.
The scenery in the region is undeniably beautiful(Image: Getty)READ MORE: The peaceful Scottish islands named ‘best place to raise a family’ in the UK
“The pier has drop-off bins and a container plus many local residents would be keenly waiting the arrival of their supplies. In normal times they would create a human chain to help unload the boat up the steps and onto the pier but during Covid they couldn’t,” a blog on the ferry service’s website reads, reports the Express.
“So the skipper and crew unloaded the boat whilst the locals looked on at a distance. We didn’t need Joe Wicks as the workout was intense, especially at low tide! The crew were never so slim.”
Located on the Knoydart Peninsula, the main village of Inverie sits on the northern shore of Loch Nevis. Whilst numerous villages in the region are isolated, Inverie takes remoteness to record-breaking levels.
It holds a Guinness World Record as the Most Remote Village in the UK. The boozer earned its accolade because it isn’t linked to any roads and can only be reached by boat from Mallaig – or on foot, if you fancy tackling the approximately 16-mile trek across extremely isolated countryside.
While getting there presents a challenge, the journey is absolutely worthwhile. There are two compelling reasons: the stunning surroundings, and the establishment itself. Landowners John Muir Trust are currently rewilding sections of Knoydart, restoring it to something closer to its original wild state.
“Centuries of burning and over-grazing by sheep and deer have damaged the habitat here. Over the last 30 years, we’ve planted native tree species and controlled deer numbers to improve biodiversity. Now we’re seeing the natural regeneration of birch, oak, hazel, rowan, Scots pine and other tree species,” the Trust’s website reads.
“As the trees have regenerated on Knoydart, native wildlife has returned. This includes pine marten, roe deer, bats and many types of woodland birds. There are also otters, foxes, water voles, buzzards and different types of eagle. Knoydart is also notable for a wide range of species in its wet heaths, grasslands and snow beds. We expect to see more biodiversity as the woodland continues to expand.”
The village of Inverie has precious little, apart from the renowned Old Forge – “the Remotest Pub in Mainland Britain”, according to those who run it. “We are proud to be one of a few community-owned pubs in Scotland. Whisky, real ale, traditional music and amazing service are our passions,” the Forge claims online.
The establishment has earned glowing reviews from visitors, serving as a welcoming refuge that opens its doors almost every day of the year, whatever the weather.
The pub is at the centre of the small community(Image: Benjamin Robinson via Getty Images)
“Heaven on earth. Had an amazing meal for my hubby’s 67th birthday recently. Such a friendly atmosphere and the food was excellent too – fish and chips for me, macaroni cheese for hubby. Freshly cooked and delicious! This visit was sublime in every way, the scenery wasn’t bad either,” one satisfied guest wrote on Tripadvisor.
Another visitor commented: “No visit to Inverie is complete without a visit to The Old Forge. What the community have done to the place since the buyout is outstanding, it is a credit to all who have worked so hard to revive this fantastic place to its former glory. Always a pleasure to visit and partake in wonderful food and drink, all served by a very enthusiastic group of folk. Hope to be back one day. Keep up the good work.”
The Knoydart Snug is operated by the pub and offers a limited number of beds for those who find themselves stuck in Inverie. With a lively pub atmosphere and stunning landscapes right outside, visitors might find themselves secretly hoping for a weather delay.
The simplest route to Inverie involves a train journey to Mallaig, offering stunning views of Scotland, followed by a ferry ride. The direct train from Glasgow to Mallaig on the West Highland Line, run by ScotRail, takes roughly 5 hours and 15 minutes, covering around 160 km, with multiple services operating each day.