This pub is giving away free beer, but there’s a catch – you’ll need to hike at least 15 miles to claim it.
The Old Forge, which lies on Scotland’s Knoydart Peninsula, is famed as Britain’s most remote mainland pub, and is handing out free ales to punters who have hiked all the way there.
That’s no easy task. The Old Forge is set on the northern shore of Loch Nevis in Inverie, Britain’s most remote mainland community, with a population of 111 and no roads in or out.
To reach it involves a six-mile ferry crossing from Mallaig, or an arduous 40km (24-mile) trek over wild mountainous terrain with no shelter from the nearest village, Glenfinnan, home to the ‘Harry Potter railway viaduct’.
Alternatively, there’s a slightly shorter 24km (15 miles) route from the settlement of Kinloch Hourn, but it crosses an equally unforgiving landscape. Either way, the hike is one that needs to be planned, with a kit list that typically includes a tent. For anyone completing the odyssey, a free beer is sure to be welcomed.
The Old Forge on Scotland’s Knoydart Peninsula – famed as Britain’s most remote mainland pub – is handing out free ales to punters who have hiked there
The Old Forge (pictured centre) is set in Inverie, Britain’s most remote mainland community, which has a population of 111 and no roads in or out
To reach the pub it’s a challenging two-day, 40km (24-mile) hike over wild mountainous terrain from the nearest village, Glenfinnan
Hikers who tackle the trek will be rewarded with a free pint of ‘Trale’ beer from the Knoydart Brewery, the UK’s most remote brewery. This limited-edition beer has been launched in collaboration with sports retailer Wiggle and is available exclusively at The Old Forge.
From July 1, hikers simply need to quote ‘Wiggle’ at the bar to get their hands on a cold beer after the arduous trek to the pub. It’s the hike itself that has contributed to The Old Forge’s now legendary status, with many hikers keen to tick it off the bucket list.
While it’s traditionally done over two days, the trail – which takes hikers over a stretch of mountains and glens known as ‘The Rough Bounds of Knoydart’ – can be achieved in around eight hours for the more experienced.
The ‘Trale’ beer bottle has been designed by Wiggle to represent the ‘mountainous landscape of Knoydart and the surrounding areas’, with the label offering information on Loch Nevis, also known as ‘The Loch of Heaven’.
The hike to The Old Forge has contributed to the pub’s now legendary status
Hikers who tackle the trek will be rewarded with a free pint of ‘Trale’ beer from the Knoydart Brewery, the UK’s most remote brewery
The limited-edition beer has been launched in collaboration with sports retailer Wiggle and is available exclusively at The Old Forge
The ‘Trale’ beer bottle has been designed to represent the ‘mountainous landscape of Knoydart and the surrounding areas’
The beer, which is ‘created with hikers, adventurers, and lovers of the outdoors in mind’, is a 5.1 per cent golden ale with hints of citrus, brewed with single malt and single hop.
A statement notes: ‘Wiggle encourages everyone, everywhere to embrace the outdoors and all it has to offer. Priding itself on making riding, running, swimming, and outdoor adventure more accessible and enjoyable for all, the retailer recognises that life is all about balance, and that reward – in this case, an ice-cold ale – can be the key to keeping motivated.’
Stephanie Harris, of The Old Forge, said: ‘We are very excited to be partnering with Wiggle to showcase the beauty and adventure our little part of the world has to offer – and the great Knoydart beer! Having recently carried out an extensive refurb on our community-owned pub, we are looking forward to reopening the doors and welcoming folk in at the end of their epic trail over the hills of the Rough Bounds to get here. Slainte.’
Aside from travelling on foot, the only other way people can reach The Old Forge is by a six-mile journey by ferry from Mallaig
Huw Crwys-Williams, CEO at Wiggle, said: ‘At Wiggle, we’re always up for it, whatever the activity, and aim to encourage the same spirit among our customers. We’re delighted to have partnered with The Old Forge and Knoydart Brewery to create this unique new beer, while celebrating the very best of what the beautiful British outdoors has to offer.
‘Visiting this remote peninsula is a special experience and we hope that gifting hikers and punters with a Trale will make it even more special… just remember to quote “Wiggle” when at the bar!’
Free Trale beers will be given away at the pub – which is due to reopen later this month after its refurbishment – from July 1, limited to two per person, while stocks last. A limited number of non-alcoholic alternatives will also be available over the summer.
READ MORE: Inside Britain’s most remote mainland community
Above is Inverie’s ‘main drag’
‘I’ll come back when it’s less busy,’ says the lady, and marches out, vibrating with rage.
I sympathise, to be honest. There she was, enjoying Inverie’s village shop, browsing at her leisure. Then my party arrives – two sets of parents and three daughters aged five, six and seven who when they see the sweets for sale become as excited as, well, kids in a sweet shop.
Fortunately, for the enraged customer, she won’t have to wait very long for the shop to be ‘less busy’. That’s because Inverie is Britain’s most remote mainland community…
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