During the Covid lockdown, the residents of Inverie encountered significant challenges compared to many other communities in Britain. Inverie, a small village with around 120 inhabitants, relies entirely on its ferry service for vital supplies such as food, medicine, and freight. The ferry, operated by Western Isles Cruises, often faces disruptions due to adverse weather conditions, leaving the village isolated with no means of receiving or sending goods.
Situated in Scotland, Inverie has no road connections and can only be accessed by a strenuous two- to three-day journey through the mountains or via the ferry service. The pandemic led to a drastic reduction in ferry sailings from 28 per week to just three, running on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.
The limited ferry service during Covid restrictions posed challenges for the villagers, as they could not assist in unloading supplies as they usually would. The ferry crew had to handle the unloading process alone, creating a physically demanding task. Inverie, located on the Knoydart Peninsula, holds a Guinness World Record as the Most Remote Village in the UK due to its lack of road access, making it reachable only by boat or a demanding 16-mile trek through isolated terrain.
Despite its remote location, the journey to Inverie offers breathtaking scenery and the opportunity to visit the famous Old Forge pub, touted as “the Remotest Pub in Mainland Britain.” The John Muir Trust, the landowner, is actively rewilding parts of Knoydart to restore its natural environment by planting native tree species and managing wildlife populations to enhance biodiversity.
Inverie’s Old Forge pub, a community-owned establishment, is a central hub for locals and visitors, offering a warm atmosphere and traditional Scottish hospitality. The pub, lauded for its food and service, has garnered praise from patrons for its dedication to reviving the establishment. The Knoydart Snug, operated by the pub, provides accommodation for those stranded in the village, offering a cozy stay amidst stunning surroundings.
Traveling to Inverie typically involves a scenic train ride to Mallaig followed by a short ferry journey, providing travelers with stunning Scottish vistas along the way. The direct Glasgow to Mallaig train route operated by ScotRail covers approximately 160 km and takes around 5 hours and 15 minutes, with multiple services available daily.
