THE UK’s most remote pub is more accessible than ever - after opening its doors to a TV documentary crew. Very few will ever visit The Old Forge on the shoreline of the Knoydart Peninsula because the fastest way to get there is either a three-day, 30-mile hike or a ferry from the mainland. 3 Old Forge development manager Stephanie Harris Credit: BBC Scotland/Elephant Shoe Films/Alison Pinkney 3 The pub lies in the stunning Inverie Bay Credit: BBC Scotland/Elephant Shoe Films/Alison Pinkney But for those who do, it’s the pilgrimage of a lifetime through some of the most beautiful terrain of the Scottish Highlands.
In BBC Scotland special The Journey to Scotland’s Remotest Pub, cameras follow friends Glynis Mattheisen and Ally Turner as they undertake the brutal trek in search of the perfect pint. Glynis, an American living in Dundee , joked: “It was pointed out to us that we’re starting at Loch Nevis, which is Scots Gaelic for heaven, and going to Loch Hourn, which is Scots Gaelic for hell.” In the summer months, five people a day attempt the daunting hike to the boozer.
READ MORE IN TV PAYING THE PRICE I'm Scotland's top poker player - I make millions but can't get a mortgage CASTLE COMIC Scots comedian sells £4m castle with 13 bedrooms, 3 cottages and a ballroom The bar was put up for sale in 2021 for offers over £425,000 and was bought by The Old Forge Community Benefit Society which made it a community-owned business . It reopened a year ago after a massive refurbishment and is the main feature of tiny Knoydart. Old Forge development manager Stephanie Harris said: “The main thing we wanted to do first was a refurb as when we bought it the only thing that worked properly was the ice machine.
“I think everyone has definitely got a sense of ownership of it, 70-plus locals all have shares in it. Most read in News TV CHEEKY! Danni Menzies flashes bum in thong bikini on holiday at 'hidden gem' in Greece FLOWER POWER Carol Kirkwood branded ‘gorgeous lassie’ as she stuns in floral summer dress IN THE MONEY Scots BBC star DOUBLES his fortune to £1.6million in a year DON'T FRY Rochelle Humes reveals pregnancy drama left her hunting for notorious Scots grub “It’s not so much about monetary benefit, it’s doing it to support the business.
” Meanwhile, pub gaffer Will O’Neill added: “My actual job is manager of The Old Forge but in reality what I’ve found in this place is you have to be everywhere so I do bar shifts, kitchen shifts and the occasional office shift to keep the place running. World's most remote hotel located 15,000ft up mountain “For the past eight or nine years we didn’t really have a pub in winter . “When we first came together to have the idea that we should run the pub, I don’t think we all imagined it would happen.
“It was more a dream to get back the hub of the village and it all happened very quickly. “It works better having that community aspect where everybody bands together and helps each other.” Stock for the bar is collected twice a week when deliveries arrive by boat.
The Thursday journey is the most important as it ensures the pub won’t run out of beer or whisky over the weekend. Despite the awful weather , pals Glynis and Ally are glad they braved the elements to reach such a special place in Scotland . Glynis said: “It was absolutely worth it, beautiful views and a part of the world most people don’t get to see.
“I’ve never been happier to be in a pub.” Ally, from Coventry, added: “Hiking between heaven and hell felt a little closer to hell except it wasn’t warm enough. “It was worth it, even with torrential rain, high winds, bogs and slippery mud.
” Boat skipper and pub shareholder Iain Wilson also features in the documentary and proudly explains what makes Knoydart his own piece of paradise. He reckons there’s a lot more to the place than a pub and hopes people get to visit at least once in their life. Iain said: “They call it ‘the last wilderness’ but it wasn’t a wilderness when 1,200 people were living here, it was just their homes .
“In 1841 in the census there were 333 people in this loch that lived here and now there’s six. “I’d like to think Knoydart is a very welcoming place, above all else it’s got highland hospitality and I’m glad a road was never built as it wouldn’t be like this now. I think it’s a pretty special place.
” He added: “The poorest man in the country can come up here today and walk to the top of that hill and for that day it’s his. Read more on the Scottish Sun final effort Tommy Fury's 'last ditch attempt' to save relationship with Molly-Mae revealed DEVASTATING LOSS Scots mum, 38, dies suddenly after night watching Netflix “I don’t own the land, the land owns me.” *The Journey to Scotland’s Remotest Pub, produced by Elephant Shoe Films , will be available on BBC iPlayer from August 16 onwards and will be shown on BBC One at a later date as part of the Our Lives strand of documentaries from around the UK 3 Pub gaffer Will O’Neill Credit: BBC Scotland/Elephant Shoe Films/Alison Pinkney.
