You can walk here (see bottom of page), you can jump on a boat, or some people even turn up by helicopter! But you can't drive here, which helps make Knoydart a very special place - it would be impossible to take a conventional vehicle over the hills, and the Scottish Outdoor Access Code does not allow for motorbikes or quads to have access to footpaths without landowner permission.

Knoydart can be reached by public transport, with the "Knoydart Steps" on Mallaig Pier only being a two-minute walk from the bus stop or train station. This is where the Knoydart ferry, MV Western Isles, and numerous small boats depart for Inverie. See below for details.

Transport Direct have a useful facility for those planning on visiting us: enter your postcode in the blue box to the right, and they'll work out milage, fuel costs and your carbon footprint - as well as giving you directions to Mallaig! Only car journeys come up automatically: you may need to enter a date / time to get bus / train times. For more information on carbon-neutral travelling to / in Knoydart, see the Powerdown page.

Foot Passengers Only!

The Highland Council (The Small Isles & Knoydart Prohibition of Vehicles) Order 2003 applies restrictions which only allow residents and genuine contractors permission to take vehicles over to Knoydart. This helps reduce wear and tear on a vulnerable stretch of road. In order to bring a vehicle over, you first need to apply for a special permit from Highland Council. The permit is a small badge which you affix to the inside of your windscreen.

Ferry Service

Jon Sellars' boat service, Knoydart Seabridge, is the new Highland Council subsidised passenger ferry service. You can see their new regular timetable here. They recommend booking a place in advance: tel 01687 462916 or email jon(at)sandaig.com.

(Bruce Watt's ferry, the Western Isles, is still running a scheduled service throughout summer 2013. You can contact him on 01687 462320, or email brucewattcruises(at)aol.com.)

Both of the above operators will also do private hires. 

Private Boat Hire

Alternatively, if you cannot work in with ferry times, boat hire may be an option. The following boat operators, listed in alphabetical order, offer boat hire. Generally, a trip from Mallaig to Inverie will cost in the order of £60 - £70 although price can depend on numbers and luggage (there is usually a minimum charge per passenger). Some may run a regular service which will take individual passengers. All will also offer charters further afield. You may wish to check that operators and their vessels are licensed and coded (we believe they are at present (May 2011)).

"Calanna", Iain Wilson -  Tel 01687 462844 calannaboat(at)knoydart.org

"Knoydart", Bob Wright - Tel 01687 460129 moraganderson@hotmail.co.uk

"Sea Knoydart", Mark Woombs - Tel 01687 460046 mark(at)seaknoydart.co.uk

If travelling from the Isle of Skye, SeaFari in Armadale make regular trips direct to Knoydart in their 40-passenger boat: tel 01471 833316.

Bringing your own boat to Knoydart

Each year we get many people visiting by boat. We have had some problems with incorrect information being put in the pilot guide for the area so we hope this information helps people to plan their journey. There are no public moorings in Inverie Bay but the local pub does have a number of moorings for use. Contact the Old Forge for more information. No overnight berthing is allowed on the pier. When using the pier, please leave the steps as soon as possible. The pier is in regular usage and keeping the steps free makes it work much more effectively so thanks for your co-operation on this. There is no public water, diesel or gas supply. We would appreciate it if rubbish is taken to Mallaig as disposal facilities are strictly limited here. Harbour dues have been introduced in line with other Highland Council piers.

We have a shop in Inverie which sells a range of tinned goods, sweets and souvenirs. For fresh food you will need to pick up supplies from Mallaig. The Old Forge does lunches and evening meals - booking advisable on 01687 462267. The Knoydart Pottery and Tearoom does breakfasts and lunches (and evening meals in the summer) - call 01687 460191.

Walking In

Stop! This is not an easy option!

Some people choose the difficult way...if you are interested in walking in to Inverie from Kinlochhourn, Glenfinnan, or anywhere else, we recommend you contact our Ranger Service, who are able to provide help and advice on what can be an arduous trek. There are numberous places to start; two are outlined below. The Ranger service has written leaflets on both these treks (as if walking OUT of Knoydart) - contact Tommy if you wish to buy one of these leaflets at £1 each.

You can also walk in as part of the Cape Wrath Trail, calling at Glenfinnan, Inverie and Kinlochhourn.

Please note the following:

• you should not attempt to walk in unless you have the correct map and a compass, know how to use them, and have a clear route in mind
• you should not attempt to walk in if you have no experience of walking routes without signage
• you should not attempt to walk in without adequate safety and protective equipment including rainwear, tent or goretex bivvy bag, decent boots etc
• you should always inform a friend or relative of your route and the time you expect to take

From Kinlochhourn: Most people take two days, breaking their journey at the campsite or bothy at Barisdale (there is also a very small bunkhouse and a larger house which takes weekly lets). One thing you should bear in mind if planning this walk is that there is no longer a postbus service to Kinlochhourn, so you need to make your own way there. A taxi is sometimes the best option: Jamie's Taxi Service in Fort William tell us they regularly do trips to Kinlochhourn, and there are bound to be other companies who are willing to do the same.

The Glenfinnan route is harder, in that it requires more route-finding, and crosses more trackless / boggy country. However there is a train station at Glenfinnan, so it is easier to get to the start-point. Most people take three days, breaking their route at or near two of the bothies en route. You should always bring a tent on this route, as bothies fill up (especially in summer). Please note that bothies are NOT bookable. See http://www.mountainbothies.org.uk/ for more information on bothies.

Please be aware that there is NO signage on any part of these routes.