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Scenic Walking Holiday - Exploring the Knoydart Peninsula

Join Large Outdoors for a truly remote and wild 4 night adventure in Scotland, staying in a beautiful lodge on Knoydart.

Experience Type: Multi-Day Experience
Duration: 4 nights
Accommodation: Lodge
Meeting Location: Mallaig
Group Size: Maximum 10
Level: Leisurely
Age: 18+
Dogs: No dogs, except trained assistance dogs

In a Nutshell:

  • Enjoy exploring one of Britain’s most remote areas with three days of walks in the company of a Large Outdoors guide and fellow adventurers.

  • Revel in the peace and quiet that comes from being far away from the humdrum of everyday life, enjoying Scotland’s wilderness.

  • Be a little bit gloaty if our luck is in and we manage to spot the local eagles, seals, otters and stags!

If you are looking for a mountain challenge, then why not join us for our more active adventure in this area: Walking the Mountains of Knoydart

Collections: Adventure & Explore : Knoydart Walking Adventures : Remote & Wild Adventures : Scotland : Car Free Experiences

 

How do we grade our walks?

Want a full-on Scottish walking adventure - one where there’s wild terrain and wildlife? Then read on…

The Knoydart Peninsula, billed as Scotland’s ‘last wilderness’, is reached only by ferry (our choice) or by walking a very long way.

Sandwiched between Lochs Nevis and Hourn on the west coast, Knoydart’s remoteness hits you as soon as you come ashore having left behind the bustling town of Mallaig. There are only a few roads in and around the hamlet of Inverie, our base for the weekend, and then the rest is miles and miles of mountains, coastline and sandy beaches to explore.

To prevent us going completely feral though, there is also a very fine pub just down the road from our hostel where we can get a bit of civilisation if desired!

Suggested Itinerary

Day 1

If you’ve arrived at Mallaig by train, or parked in the long-stay car park at the harbour if you’ve travelled by car, we’ll meet you along at the Western Isles Cruises ticket office, just a short walk away. We’ll be catching the small passenger-only ferry (approx. 45 minute crossing) to Inverie on Knoydart.
Please note: we have no vehicle for this trip so it’s best to leave the ‘kitchen sink’ and any excess bags at home! Once at Inverie, you will need to walk everywhere and this includes from the harbour to our accommodation, which is around a 20 minute walk. Please consider this when packing - a holdall or rucksack, rather than a wheeled suitcase (as the paths are uneven/unsurfaced) is best.

Once we’ve walked to our accommodation - Knoydart Lodge - we can drop off our bags, maybe fire up the wood-burner, or head out for a little wander with time to get our bearings.

Each evening we plan to support the rural community by eating out. Over dinner tonight we get a feel for what the group would like to do walk-wise and outline suggestions for the next day’s excursion. Afterwards, there are no doubt some who will be drawn to the welcoming lights and sounds coming from the Old Forge pub for a night cap!

Days 2 - 4

Each day we start with a breakfast fit for a herd of hungry horses before making packed lunches and heading out for the day. There are plenty of options for walks depending on the weather but here are some of the possibilities:

Heart of Knoydart - Running right through Knoydart lies the valley of Gleann an Dubh-Lochain. There's a path all the way up it, and we'll be able to wander along gazing at the surrounding mountains. We pass the Inverie River, the loch at the centre of the glen, and head up to a low mountain pass that straddles Knoydart's highest peaks. It isn't a difficult walk, but the views are just outstanding and you’ll get a real sense of the peninsula’s remoteness. If time allows, we'll summit a small peak and look over at the famous Barisdale Bay before heading back to Inverie.

Knoydart West Coast - The Western coast of Knoydart looks over to the Isle of Skye, and is a stunning coastline of rocky promontories and hidden beaches. Luckily for us there's a track around most of it, so we'll head out to discover some of the bays and watch for wildlife - seals, otters and eagles could all make an appearance. We'll walk as far as we feel, perhaps to Sandaig or Airor - with the famous 'cafe at the end of the road' - before heading back to Inverie via the beach and maybe the coastal path.

Once back from the walks each day, there’s time for a bit of rest and relaxation before we head out for dinner to a local restaurant nearby. Or if the group prefers, we could always see what’s in stock at the local shop and cook at the lodge – think Masterchef (and then perhaps think again!).

Day 5

This morning we catch the ferry back to Mallaig and begin our re-integration into normal life. If the group has time, perhaps we could grab some lunch or a coffee in the town together before we say our goodbyes and head homewards.

Good to Know

  • Meeting Time: 1pm

    Meeting Location:
    The Ticket Office, Western Isles Cruises
    The Pier Office
    Mallaig
    PH41 4QD

    Public Transport: Mallaig has its own Train Station, with services to/from Fort William and Glasgow. The Train Station is just a few minutes’ walk from the meeting location.

    Parking: There is plenty of free long-stay parking at the harbour in Mallaig.

    IMPORTANT INFORMATION: We include return ferry transfers from Mallaig to Inverie on Knoydart. Once at Inverie, you will need to walk everywhere and this includes from the harbour to our accommodation, which is around a 20 minute walk. We will need to take some supplies with us on to Knoydart and as such we will ask everyone to also carry a shopping bag with supplies in. Please consider this when packing.

    Return Journey to Mallaig (Day 5): On the final day we will be aiming to catch the 9:30am ferry which should have us back in Mallaig for around midday.

  • We'll be staying in the beautiful Knoydart Lodge. The lodge has an open-plan kitchen and dining room, as well as a comfy lounge with wood-burning stove. There’s a really characterful feel to the place and a handy drying room too.
    Bedding and a towel are provided, just bring your own toiletries.

    Please note there is NO MOBILE SIGNAL anywhere on Knoydart, it is a true wilderness experience in that sense. There is limited Wi-Fi at the lodge.

    Room Types:
    You can book one of the following options, subject to availability:
    Bed in a Shared Female Room
    Bed in a Shared Male Room
    Twin Room

    If you choose to book a bed in a Shared Room, you’ll be sharing a room - a mix of single beds and bunk beds - with other participants (room sizes vary and bathrooms are shared). There are also some Twin Rooms with two single beds (bathrooms are either shared or en-suite), which sleep up to two participants booking together.

  • Included:

    • Return ferry travel to Inverie (Knoydart) from Mallaig.

    • 4 nights’ accommodation at Knoydart Lodge - we have taken over exclusive use of the lodge, so it will just be Large Outdoors participants staying.

    • A Large Outdoors host/guide to welcome you and deal with the logistics for your experience.

    • Guided walks on 3 days (Days 2, 3 & 4) with an expert, fully qualified Mountain Leader, who will walk with a first-aid kit and emergency satellite phone.

    • A DIY breakfast each morning (toast, cereals, fruit and yoghurt provided).

    • A DIY packed lunch (sandwich and snacks) for Day 2, 3 and 4’s walks.

    • Tea, coffee and squash at the accommodation - please note, due to the remote location we may not have the usual range of decaf and herbal options available.

    • Bedding and a towel - but don’t forget your own toiletries.

    • The chance to make new friends and meet like-minded people - Large Outdoors is all about making outdoor adventures sociable.

    • Pre-event support from the Large Outdoors team - give us a shout if there’s any advice or information you need and check out our Blog for useful articles too.

    Not included:

    • Travel to and from the meeting location.

    • Dinner each evening - we’ll book a table at a local restaurant to enjoy dinner as a group and you can purchase whatever you fancy from the menu available.

    • Any extra (i.e. not mentioned above in ‘Included’) excursions or activities that you may partake in which incur a cost.

    • Alcoholic drinks - please feel free to bring something with you to enjoy at the accommodation and there’ll be opportunities to pick up some local tipples during the trip.

    • Any food, drinks or goods you choose to purchase at any shops, restaurant, pubs or cafés visited.

    • Travel/activity insurance - we recommend having insurance to cover, at a minimum: cancellation and curtailment; medical and emergency expenses (including repatriation); personal accident; injury and death.

  • Please see our Residential (Walking) Kit List.

    The compulsory items are selected for your safety, which is of paramount importance to us at Large Outdoors. Each participant should have the items listed.

    Don’t forget your head torch - there are no street lights for our walks back from dinner or a visit to the pub!

    PLEASE NOTE:

    • Although the walks on our Adventure & Explore experiences are generally classed as more leisurely options, you will still need walking boots. There will be short steep sections and rocky/boggy/slippery ground to navigate, so it’s important you have suitable footwear.

    • We have no vehicle for this trip so it’s best to leave the ‘kitchen sink’ and any excess bags at home! Once at Inverie, you will need to walk everywhere and this includes from the harbour to our accommodation, which is around a 20 minute walk. Please consider this when packing - a holdall or rucksack, rather than a wheeled suitcase (as the paths are uneven/unsurfaced) is best.

  • What level of fitness is needed? This trip is graded as Leisurely. Click here to see Large Outdoors’ Experience Levels.

    Can I attend on my own? Absolutely. The majority of our participants are solo travellers and adventurers. Plenty of fun, laughter and numerous long-term friendships (and a few marriages!) have begun on Large Outdoors experiences since 2008, so there’s no need to feel worried about your first experience, or indeed trying a new type of outdoor activity, with us.

    I am currently on a specific diet / have an allergy - can you cater for me? Unfortunately, we are generally unable to cater for a wide variety of diets or food preferences due to the nature and cost of our catered trips and/or the use of shared kitchens. However, we can offer vegetarian meals, vegan meals, provide meals with gluten* free ingredients, and/or provide meals with dairy* free ingredients - these options can be selected when booking. 
    *Please see our general FAQs for more information about dietary options.
    This particular experience offers a little more flexibility catering wise, as evening meals are taken at local restaurants, so please contact us if you’d like to check whether it is suitable for your dietary needs.

    What transport is provided during this trip? We provide return ferry travel to Inverie (Knoydart) from Mallaig for this experience. Once at Inverie, you will need to walk everywhere and this includes from the harbour to our accommodation, which is around a 20 minute walk.

    Can I bring my dog? Dogs are not allowed on this experience, except for trained assistance dogs. If you wish to bring your trained assistance dog, please let us know in advance of booking so we can discuss the itinerary and any activity/equipment/accommodation, and of course additional safety requirements or considerations that may be necessary.

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