Knoydart
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Knoydart is a peninsula in Lochaber, Highland, on the west coast of Scotland.
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[edit] Natural Environment
Knoydart is sandwiched between Lochs Nevis and Hourn — often translated as Loch Heaven and Loch Hell respectively.
Traditionally known as the Rough Bounds, because of its harsh terrain and remoteness, Knoydart is also referred to as "Britain's last wilderness". Only accessible by boat, or by a 16-mile (26 km) walk through rough country, its seven miles of tarred road are not connected to the UK road system. There is no vehicle ferry to Knoydart, but a passenger service is available from Mallaig, operated by Bruce Watt Cruises[1].
Designated as a National Scenic Area, Knoydart is popular with hill walkers, mountaineers, sailors and wildlife enthusiasts. It includes the Munros of Ladhar Bheinn (1020 m) and Sgurr na Ciche (1040 m).
[edit] History
Traditionally the land belonged to the MacDonnells of Glengarry[2]. Prior to the 1745 Jacobite Rebellion the population numbered nearly a thousand. Emigration, principally to Canada, reduced the numbers to six hundred by 1845 and in subsequent years further losses resulted from famines due to the failure of the potato harvest from blight and poor catches of herring. The estate was forcibly cleared of four hundred of the remaining indigenous residents to make way for sheep, and sold by the widow of the sixteen chief of the clan in 1852. These evictions involved the destruction of the houses and farmsteads of those families so removed and their transportation onboard a ship supplied by the British government. [1]
In 1948 an unsuccessful land raid was undertaken by the 'Seven Men of Knoydart' who attempted to claim land in the ownership of the estate for their own use. They were taken to court by the estate owner and dispossessed.[2]
[edit] Present Day
Inverie is the only village on the peninsula, which has a resident population of roughly 100 adults. There is a post office, a primary school, and a variety of accommodation for visitors, including B&Bs, bunkhouses and self-catering accommodation. The Old Forge Inn[3], Knoydart's only pub, is the remotest on mainland Britain.[3].
The Knoydart Foundation [4] was established in 1997 to take ownership of the 17,500-acre Knoydart Estate which makes up much of the peninsula. The Foundation bought the estate in 1999[4]. It is a partnership of local residents, the Highland Council, the Chris Brasher Trust, Kilchoan estate and the John Muir Trust. Their aim is to preserve, enhance and develop Knoydart for the well-being of the environment and the people. The Foundation operates a micro hydro-electric scheme which provides power to the estate.
In May 2005 the Highlands and Islands Community Energy Company hosted its first conference in Inverie, during which the company was officially launched.[5]
[edit] References
- ^ Murray, W. H. (1977) The Companion Guide to the West Highlands of Scotland. London. Collins.
- ^ Keay, J. & Keay, J. (1994) Collins Encyclopaedia of Scotland. London. HarperCollins.
- ^ Hutchison, Colin. (12.11.2006) Remote patrol. Glasgow. Sunday Herald newspaper.
- ^ Residents' buy-out victory , BBC News Online, 2 March, 1999
- ^ Community Energy: Leading from the Edge , 18 April 2006
[edit] See also
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