Loch Nevis and Inverie continued

After lunch, I sat outside for a while to let the langoustines settle and also to let me soak in the atmosphere of this remote village. It was still a beautiful day and I was sorry I didn’t do the journey by my own boat. However I knew the forecast was for the wind to start rising in the late afternoon and didn’t want to risk being caught in the loch. There was gale force winds forecast for the next day or two.



I started to stroll along the road in the other direction simply to pass time while waiting for the boat to come back. This photo shows the extent of the village of Inverie.



And this one is looking over the bay towards the mouth of Loch Nevis.



I continued along the headland . The bees were busy buzzing in the blooming heather and the odd butterfly flitted by... but apart from that... nothing else moved to disturb the peace.



I noticed that every house had huge piles of logs neatly stacked in their gardens. It will be a far different place on a wild winter’s day.



My timing was perfect, just as I got back to the pier, the Western Isles boat arrived and it was time to board again and head for Tarbet in Loch Nevis itself.

Loch Nevis and the Old Forge Pub at Inverie

I was in no hurry as I wandered up Inverie Main Street, its the type of sleepy village where time stands still, once the boat had left of course. It wasn’t difficult to find the Old Forge pub as there are only half a dozen building on main street, plus the pub and a little shop on the other side of the road.



A notice outside the pub said lunches were served from noon and as it was still only 11 am I went a walk to the long beach and campsite. There were good facilities provided at the campsite including a log cabin where you could shelter if the weather turned really nasty, outside benches and a BBQ area. It was only September but I could have had the campsite to myself if I wanted to stay. There was not a single tent in sight on the site.



The long beach was a mixture of sand and shells and was very clean. No float some or jet some left on this one. In fact there was not a spot of litter anywhere in Invervie.



Because the road is not connected to the UK network, the vehicles looked old and didn’t appear to have road tax. Judging by the sound of some exhaust notes..no MOT either. I wondered if the locals could drink and drive here without breaking the law ?



Which reminded me, it was now noon so I headed back to the Old Forge for Lunch. I wasn't driving so wasn't breaking any law.



Inside it just looked like any other pub but it is recorded in the Guinness book of records as being the most remote pub in the UK.



I celebrated being there with a pint of Guinness and a huge plate of Loch Nevis Langoustines. They were record breakers too. Some were not far from the size of lobsters and they were absolutely delicious.

Loch Nevis and Inverie

Ever since I discovered the remote beauty of Loch Hourn on my holiday last year, I had a longing to explore the even more remote Loch Nevis. I had hoped that there would have been a few days of settle weather while camping at Arisaig but the unsettled weather continued with only one decent day now and then, sandwiched between days with winds.

The nearest launch point for a boat on a trailer is in Mallaig but unfortunately, the public slipway is on a desperate corner of a busy road so single handed launching was out. That meant me boating all the way from the campsite to Mallaig before entering the loch and the same on the return journey so I felt I needed more than one day of decent weather for the planned trip.

There was only one day of calm weather in the forecast so my only option was to visit the loch by commercial boat. At least it would give me a taster for any later expeditions under my own power.

I caught the Western Isles boat at Mallaig harbour on the morning of the calm day and chose the “full day” option. This meant going ashore at Inverie while the boat returns to Mallaig then, in the afternoon boarding it again on its return. It then heads for Tarbet and inner Loch Nevis before going back to Mallaig.
I waved to the memorial statue standing on the pier at the entrance to theharbour. True to the forecast, it was a lovely morning with hardly a breath of wind.



Once clear of the harbour the boat turned right and headed for Inverie near the entrance to Loch Nevis. The waters on the Sound of Sleat were like a mirror.



This is a photograph looking back towards Mallaig which is now hidden behind the headland.



There was pod after pod of porpoise breaking surface on the smooth waters. I have never seen so many and even managed to photograph some as the broke surface. I was hoping some would pass closer to the boat but they kept their distance.



We passed an unusual buoy at the entrance to Loch Nevis. It had a cross on top but I have not managed to find out why or what the story behind it is ?



Inverie is the most remote village on mainland UK. Its a 7 mile boat journey to reach it or a 22 mile hike across the mountains of Knoydart. Although there is a narrow road through the village, it is not connected to the UK road system.

There was a hustle and bustle on the pier when we arrived. Everyone was down to collect their groceries and other shopping requirements as they are delivered by the Western Isles boat. Guest house owners were waiting for their visitors to arrive and even the post van came to collect the local mail.



I got off for a wander around the village and to visit its famous pub.. the Forge .....