Pub for sale

[brightncheerful]

Always fascinates me that photos of property for sale in idyllic locations never show what it's like there when it's raining.

[Dod101]

You may remember that Tom Kerridge did a series on tele about rescuing pubs in general and then I think it stopped because of the first lockdown. At that stage he was talking to the community owners of the pub at I think Gartmore in the Trossachs. It would fit Snorvey's description. He was in the process of warning them that the whole thing was going to be a lot more difficult than they seemed to appreciate, especially once the first enthusiasm wore off.

Like Snorvey I have never been to the one in Knoydart and I doubt that I will get there now. In addition to the usual difficulties of running a community pub, there is in its case the difficulty of access. No road and either a very long trek on foot or a boat trip to get there. I am amazed that the Belgian guy who is selling has managed to survive for so long.

Dod

[swill453]

Went there 4 years ago. It's only accessable by boat or a 15 mile walk over the hills. We took the boat.

The local population can't be more than double figures, it needs tourists to be viable i'd think.



Scott.

[GrahamPlatt]

So the cars came over on the boat?

[Nimrod103]

So the cars came over on the boat?

Inspectiion of an OS map indicates that there is about 10km of drivable road connecting outlying farms, but which is not connected to the national network.
TBH with such a small clientele and limited turnover, I would have thought the draft beer would be mainly undrinkable.

[Mike4]

£425k? Excellent sense of humour that estate has.

The village pub here in Wiltshire was for sale at the same price a couple of years ago. Much better value. It has a road to it and everything!

[kiloran]

I visited the pub in the early 80s. I was working on Kinbreak bothy and took a couple of days out to walk to the pub. A 40-50km round trip for a pint!

--kiloran

[Dod101]

So the cars came over on the boat?

They will almost certainly not be day trippers but used on the local estate on its roads to get around.

Dod

[swill453]

So the cars came over on the boat?

Yes, absolutely!

Scott.

[swill453]

TBH with such a small clientele and limited turnover, I would have thought the draft beer would be mainly undrinkable.

Quite a large tourist clientele outside the winter season, and regular deliveries by boat. As I recall there was a choice of a couple of cask ales, but I can't remember what they were.

Scott.

[kiloran]

I visited the pub in the early 80s. I was working on Kinbreak bothy and took a couple of days out to walk to the pub. A 40-50km round trip for a pint!

--kiloran

I forgot to mention an odd occurrence on the walk to Inverie. I was approaching the head of Glen Kingie https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@57.01604 ... authuser=0 and looked up and saw this black shape apparently rising over the horizon. No sound, and it all seemed like it was in slow-motion. Then WHOOSH! Scared the whatnots out of me. It was a fighter jet doing some low-level runs down the glen. It was so weird how there was no sound, no warning of its approach until it had passed overhead, then an almighty roar. AS if my heart wasn't already pumping fast enough as I walked uphill.

It was october and a rather damp week as we carried roofing materials to Kinbreak bothy, and wet feet from wading across the river. The following easter (I think) we went back and reroofed the bothy, and it was rather more spectacular weather.




--kiloran

[tjh290633]

The speed of sound effect is very pronounced. My first experience was in about 1950, when our CCF Contingent had their summer camp at RAF Hullavington. Group Captain Donaldson did a fly past in a Spitfire at 400 mph plus. We did not hear him approach until he was at about he end of the runway. I don't know what his actual speed was, but he probably dived to get somewhere near the speed of sound. Very impressive.

TJH

[Beanzcounter]

Inverie has a thriving and active community and it is a go to destination for many hillwalkers both from the UK amd internationally. The attraction is partly because it is so difficult to get to as it increases the sense of adventure!
The community are actively looking to secure the pub and have a long history of successfully managing community projects so I’m sure they are well as prepared for taking on the pub. Their Facebook page has had over 1000 likes in a matter of days! The Old Forge CBS (Community Benefit Society)

[Dod101]

Interesting photos kiloran, thanks. I suspect that I will never get there now, at my age but I would not mind a daytrip by boat if that is possible. I love the west coast and would probably have moved to somewhere like Poolewe had my first wife's health been better when I retired, or maybe more likely bought a small holiday place there.

So to hijack the pub for sale topic.

Dod

[kiloran]

Interesting photos kiloran, thanks. I suspect that I will never get there now, at my age but I would not mind a daytrip by boat if that is possible.
Dod

Book your trip as soon as lockdown ends:
https://westernislescruises.co.uk/knoyd ... timetable/
Perhaps include a rail trip from Fort William (or Glasgow) to Mallaig

And please send us the photos!

--kiloran

[Dod101]

Interesting photos kiloran, thanks. I suspect that I will never get there now, at my age but I would not mind a daytrip by boat if that is possible.
Dod

Book your trip as soon as lockdown ends:
https://westernislescruises.co.uk/knoyd ... timetable/
Perhaps include a rail trip from Fort William (or Glasgow) to Mallaig

And please send us the photos!

--kiloran

Thanks. You've got me thinking. I can actually pick up a train for Mallaig at Crianlarich and return the same day but it would not would not give me time to get to Inverie as well so I would need to make it part of a longer trip. I will think on it and meanwhile thanks for the timetable.

Dod

[Beanzcounter]

TBH with such a small clientele and limited turnover, I would have thought the draft beer would be mainly undrinkable.

Quite a large tourist clientele outside the winter season, and regular deliveries by boat. As I recall there was a choice of a couple of cask ales, but I can't remember what they were.

Scott.

There is also a brewery on Knoydart! Plus once Covid is over a tea room plus a couple of restaurants and a fantastic community hall, recently refurbished, for live music gigs - not bad facilities for a population of 110 people!