The Old Forge

Some people make an effort to go off the beaten track to find a good place to throw back a few beers, but this community-owned pub in Scotland is so far off the beaten path that it’s renowned for being the remotest pub in mainland Britain.

You will find The Old Forge in the tiny village of Inverie (population: approximately 100), which is nestled on the northern shore of Loch Nevis on the Knoydart Peninsula. You can’t drive to Knoydart; it isn’t connected to the rest of the Scottish road network.

The most accessible and affordable way to reach the pub is by ferry from Mallaig, a 30 to 40-minute trip. Ferries run four times a day, but you can also take a private trip to the pub on one of the local boats if the ferry times don’t adhere to your drinking schedule.

You can always walk if you want to turn it into an adventure. The best paths to the pub on foot are through Glendessary forest, Glen Meadall, or Kinlochhourn. They say that getting to the pub on foot is one of the most rewarding ways to get there, as there’s nothing like a thick steak and a dark beer after a weary day’s hike.   

The pub was closed for part of 2021 because of a dispute between the owner and the locals. This problem was resolved when the local community took ownership of The Old Forge in March 2022, through a not-for-profit community benefit company.