Knoydart

Knoydart (Scottish Gaelic: Cnoideart) is a peninsula in Lochaber, Highland, on the west coast of Scotland.

Natural environment

Knoydart is sandwiched between Lochs Nevis and Hourn — often translated as "Loch Heaven" and "Loch Hell" respectively.

The northern part of what is traditionally known as "na Garbh-Chrìochan" or "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 passenger services are operated from Mallaig to Inverie by Bruce Watt Cruises, [cite web| url=http://www.knoydart-ferry.co.uk| title=Knoydart Ferry Service| accessdate=2007-04-22] and from Arnisdale and Kinlochhourn to Barisdale by Arnisdale Ferry Service. [cite web| url=http://www.arnisdaleferryservice.com/| title=Arnisdale Ferry Service| accessdate=2007-07-24]

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 Cìche (1040 m).

History

In the 12th century, Knoydart formed part of the kingdom of Somerled (died 1164), before passing to the Macruari branch of his descendants - the eventual heiress of which married John of Islay (died circa 1386). The Macdonald family that held Knoydart from the 15th century to the beginning of the 17th century is generally believed to have descended from Allan Macdonald, 2nd of Clanranald (died circa 1429). However, in the early 17th century, Macdonell of Glengarry succeeded in wresting control of Knoydart from Clanranald, receiving official confirmation of his ownership from the king in 1613 [Dennis Rixson, "Knoydart: a history" (Birlinn Ltd, Edinburgh, 1999)] . Prior to the 1745 Jacobite Rebellion the population numbered nearly a thousand and in spite of much emigration, mainly to Canada, remained at that level in 1841. In 1852 four hundred of the inhabitants were given notice of eviction for the following year and offered passages overseas, originally to Australia, but later their destination was changed to Canada. On 9 August 1853 three hundred and thirty inhabitants from the west coast of the peninsula went on board the "Sillery" and left for Canada. However, 11 families comprising over 60 people refused to go and the story of their eviction became notorious as part of the infamous Highland Clearances. Knoydart was finally sold by the MacDonell family in 1856, passing into the hands of an Ayrshire ironmaster, James Baird of Cambusdoon.

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. Their claims were contested by the estate owner, the Second Baron Brocket who took the case to the Court of Session which ruled against the land-raiders. An appeal to the Secretary of State for Scotland was rejected and the Seven Men gave up their fight to obtain crofts on Knoydart. A cairn commemorating the Land Raid was unveiled at Inverie in 1981. [cite book| author=MacDougall, A.| year=1993| title=Knoydart: the Last scottish Land Raid| location=Billingham, Cleveland| publisher=Lindhurst Publications]

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, Knoydart's only pub, is the remotest on mainland Britain. [cite web| url=http://www.theoldforge.co.uk/| title=Old Forge| accessdate=2007-04-22] [cite news| author=Hutchison, Colin| date=2006-11-12| title=Remote patrol| location=Glasgow| work=Sunday Herald]

The Knoydart Foundation was established in 1997 to take ownership of the 17,500-acre Knoydart Estate which makes up much of the peninsula.cite web| url=http://www.knoydartfoundation.co.uk/| title=Knoydart Foundation| accessdate=2007-04-22] The Foundation bought the estate in 1999. [cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/289092.stm| title=Residents' buy-out victory| author=BBC News Online| date=1999-03-02| accessdate=2007-04-22] 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. [cite web| url=http://www.hie.co.uk/Default.aspx.LocID-0finewkve.RefLocID-0fihiesv1009prk004.Lang-EN.htm| title=Community Energy: Leading from the Edge| author=HIE News| date=2006-04-18| accessdate=2007-04-22] A new pier at Inverie was officially opened on 24 August 2006 by Tavish Scott MSP.

References

ee also

*mmukscaled|NG766000|100|Map sources for Inverie
* [http://www.knoydart-foundation.com/ Knoydart Foundation]
* [http://www.jmt.org/li-coire-dhorrcail-estate.asp Li & Coire Dhorrcail]
* [http://www.barisdale.com/ Barisdale Estate]