MY WALKING WORLD  David Preston

 Backpacking across the Knoydart - Inverie to Shiel Bridge

On the 16/04/08 I travelled up to Scotland to explore part of the Knoydart, the plan was to walk from Inverie to Shiel Bridge. Photographs of my walk are below together with details of my route and my equipment

I had  always wanted to visit the Knoydart Peninsula on the West coast of Scotland, it is a mountainous area with few inhabitants, very few roads and stunning scenery. My plan was to walk across the Knoydart using tracks and paths and walk along the shore of Loch Hourn which has been described as one of the best coastal walks in Britain. I wanted to start my walk at the village of Inverie which although on mainland Britain is cut off from the national road network, you can only reach it by boat or by a long walk. After a lot of planning and studying timetables I decided to drive from Macclesfield to Forth William, park at the railway station and take the train to Mallaig. Then the ferry from Mallaig to Inverie

Travel Summary

Wed 16/04/08

Macclesfield to Fort William by car (340 miles) left 04.15 - arrived 1115hrs - there is a long stay customer car park at the station - no charge

Train - Fort William to Mallaig dep 12.12hrs arrive 13.30hrs - Single fare £9.20

Bruce Watts Ferrry -  Mallaig to Inverie dep 14.15 hrs arrive 1500hrs - Single fare £9.00

I stayed the first night (Wed) at the Knoydart Foundation Bunkhouse on the outskirts of Inverie - £14.20 per night

Evening meal at the Old Forge Inn in Inverie

Thursday 17/04/08

Walked from Inverie over Mam Barrisdale to Barrisdale and then along the Loch shore to Kinloch Hourn.  Left Inverie at 0900hrs  in glorious weather and after lunch on Mam Barisdale I arriver in Barrisdale at  1345hrs, I had originally planned to camp here the first night but as I had plenty of time I decided to carry on to Kinloch Hourn, an extra 4 hours and with hindsight I might have been better staying at Barisdale and continuing to Kinloch Hourn the next day. However I eventually arriver at Kinloch Hourn at 1800hrs quite tired and ready for a good rest. - Camp Site fee £1.00 - The camp site is about ½ mile from the farmhouse where there is a tap ( you need to boil this water) and a toilet in an outhouse which I used. I used water from the river the next morning which I boiled several times

Friday 18/04/08

Set off from Kinloch Hourn at 0900hrs in excellent weather and for the first few miles followed excellent paths and tracks, however eventually the track peters out and its a case of finding the best route through the tussock grass and boulders on the banks of the Allt Coire Mhalagain up hill to the pass. The route then follows a drystone wall crudely made from very large boulders along the mountainside before dropping down over the summit of Meallan Odhar. After a lunch break I continued down the mountainside and followed the banks of the Allt a'Choire Chaoil for several miles before heading north along the banks of Allt Undalain to Shiel Bridge. The path takes you straight into the campsite which was excellent. Pay at the garage which also has a shop attached. £5.00 for the night. No charge for the excellent showers. After cooking my evening meal I walked up the road to the Kintail Lodge Hotel for a celebratory drink or two.

Saturday 19/04/08

Caught the 0934hrs bus to Fort William from the stop just down the road - Single fare £13.20 - arrived at Fort William, collected my car and after a cup of tea I set off for home. A superb adventure in glorious weather and I am looking forward to going back

Kit List