The land has had a bittersweet history having been cleared of its population, some 1,000 residents, during the Highland Clearances to make way for the then more profitable sheep farming. Setting sail to Nova Scotia, Canada these emigrants boarded the St Scillery in the most horrendous of conditions leaving houses, livestock, family and a lifelong scar on the landscape still visible by visitors today.
Blackhouse croft ruins, lazybed ruts (potato furrows), disused peat banks stand proud on the hills and by rivers slowly being consumed by nature showing face again on the turn of the season when the bracken dies back and the hills change colour.
The estate has had many owners and a colourful past the courageous, the carefree and fly by night as owners, nazi sympathizers, football managers, playboys and absentee landlords have all held the reins for a time until the success of the Community Buyout secured the land for the future and brought stability in 1999.
Now a thriving cosmopolitan and growing community the population stands at 140, double in 20 years. Home to a nursery, primary school, post office, pottery and tearoom, wilderness canoes, forestry workshop and various artisans and skilled residents and The Old Forge, mainland britain’s remotest public house.
Find out about Brockets monument; a Victorian Folly, visit the cairn to the seven men of Knoydart and their last famous land raid consider why lady Brocket alledgedly threw all her best china in the loch, figure out who Odette Hallowes was and where the S.O.E training schools carried out their secret manoeuvres? Knoydart has a history and exciting past to explore….it is always the quiet ones!
Knoydart House is featured on 100 BEST GUIDE to cottages Scottish Highlands
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