Knoydart bunkhouse accommodation, Scotland

Planet

The Knoydart Foundation Bunkhouse is managed by Knoydart Trading (a subsidiary of the Foundation and a company limited by guarantee). The Knoydart Foundation is a community owned and managed organisation with developmental and land & environmental management responsibilities.

The Foundation was established in 1997 to take ownership of the 16,000 acre Knoydart Estate and is a partnership of local residents, the Chris Brasher Trust, the John Muir Trust, the Highland Council and Kilchoan Estate. Knoydart is traditionally known as the rough bounds due to its remoteness and stunning beauty, rugged grandeur and blissful tranquillity. While it may feel different to this in Inverie village, a view over the loch or a walk through the glens or in the hills soon confirms its wild character. Knoydart is part of a National Scenic Area shared with the Small Isles and is a haven for hill walkers, mountaineers, wildlife enthusiasts and those wanting to get away from the hurly-burly of urban life.

The Foundation works closely with Knoydart Forest Trust in managing the natural environment on the peninsula. Our aim is to preserve, enhance and develop Knoydart for the well being of the environment and the people. We want everone to enjoy what we have, so explore the native woods and the pine forests and delight in the world of the birds and other forest dwellers; beachcombing and rockpooling will lose you for hours - enjoy our wild and wonderful home!

The Foundation also runs a low-key campsite at Long Beach with a BBQ & picnic area, fire pits, running water, a log cabin shelter and a state-of-the-art compost toilet! During quieter times and at the warden's discretion, campers are welcome to use the shower facilities at the Bunkhouse for a small charge.

Due to our remote location and lack of road access the residents of Knoydart are very aware of transportation costs and our carbon footprint. The Bunkhouse limits its own transport carbon footprint and helps reduce traffic by offering a limited service to collect luggage for guests. Arrangements can be made subject to the availability of an appropriate vehicle and staff. Please note there is an additional charge for luggage collection.

Knoydart is not connected to the national electricity grid so we run and maintain our own hydro system. The power is generated by the turbine at the bottom of the steep pipeline in Glen Dubh Lochan fed by Loch Broamisaig above and is transported over and below ground to the south eastern area of Knoydart, home to the majority of the population. We are metered and billed for the power and this provides an income for Knoydart Renewables, the Foundation's other trading subsidiary. The Bunkhouse is very proud to be running on clean, green power! Important note: we have no street lights and it can get VERY dark on moonless nights, so remember your torch.

Waste is minimised: we recycle wherever possible and the Bunkhouse composts all kitchen waste, and recycles tins, glass, plastic bottles & paper. Grey water and sewage enters a septic tank system and we strive to only use biodegradable and environmentally friendly products. All the firewood used at the Bunkhouse is locally sourced. Local businesses benefit from the visitors that the Bunkhouse attracts and we encourage visitors to save food miles and eat local produce whenever they get a chance. Knoydart has a producer of locally reared organic lamb and Knoydart Trading produces the local wild venison available in its own community enterprise shop in the village. Next door to the Bunkhouse is the community garden and it supplies fresh seasonal food for sale in the shop as it becomes available. Free food is in abundance if you like sea fishing & foraging. Wild garlic, wood sorrel, mushrooms, berries and of course seafood - either caught on a line or shellfish from the beach - are but a few of your free food options!

People

Our sister community enterprise, the Foundation Shop & Off-licence is located in the central part of Inverie village, about a 15 minute walk from the Bunkhouse. You can get your delicious almost-zero-food-miles Knoydart wild venison here, and choose from Scottish craft beers, gins, malts and a selection of wine. You will also find unique Knoydart gifts including quality locally made products, maps, walks leaflets, books and postcards.

In this part of the village you will also find the Post Office/convenience store, the Old Forge pub, and the Tearoom and Pottery. Other place to eat or buy food include the Kilchoan Farm Shop (less than 10 mins walk from the Bunkhouse), Morag’s Snack Shack (just next door & open 24 hours for home-cooked ready meals), Knoydart River Cottage, The Gathering, Westfield, Galley on the Hill, Doune Dining Room and the Road’s End Cafe in Airor. Please see www.visitknoydart.co.uk for links and further information.

Located next door to the Foundation Shop the Knoydart Ranger Service provides Carbon Cycle bike hire, scheduled and bespoke walks and tours throughout the year and excellent information and advice for walkers. Please contact amie@knoydart.org for bike hire and walks & tours information.

Bring or hire a bike and enjoy the 7 miles of sealed road or head to the mountain bike trail - either the blue 'Fun Loop' or the more challenging red 'Skyline' trail. The track was built by a Knoydart Forest Trust apprentice, one of the first forestry apprentices in Scotland outside of the Forestry Commission. He cut his teeth with this one and now works all over the world with international mountain bike track building teams!

Whale-watching boat trips are great fun in the summer; dolphins and seals are usually around too. If you're very lucky you may even see a sea otter, but they are very shy! You might also spot a rare white-tailed sea eagle - your skipper will be looking out for them. Gannets, cormorants and sheerwaters keep you company in the beautiful Sound of Sleat.

Don't forget to check out the community hall during your stay too - there might be something on you don't want to miss..........bands, ceilidhs, talks...........the Knoydart Community Hall is a vibrant community-run venue also located in the main part of Inverie. It hosts year-round events so please check the website www.knoydarthall.com or sign up for the mailing for up to date information. 2018 is a big year for the hall with plans for its redevelopment coming to fruition.

The Bunkhouse is a successful community enterprise and now creates a surplus each year, which it gifts back to the Knoydart Foundation. It is thanks to our Bunkhouse guests that we can offer support in this way. In the last 10 years the Bunkhouse has donated over £70k to the Foundation where it is re-invested into other community projects, helping to manage our land, create employment and enhance other community income opportunities. We now employ a part-time butcher to manage venison production and a dedicated member of staff for the Foundation Shop.

Some of the income generated by the Foundation Bunkhouse is reinvested into the enterprise for its upkeep, maintaining a welcoming and comfortable haven for visitors. The Bunkhouse provides affordable accommodation for visitors to the area and provides employment on a part time basis to some of Knoydart's residents.