Knoydart

This article is about the Scottish peninsula. For the community in Nova Scotia, see Knoydart, Nova Scotia.

Knoydart
Inverie on the Knoydart peninsula
Inverie on the Knoydart peninsula
Knoydart is located in Highland
Knoydart
Knoydart
Location within the Highland council area
Population157 [1]
Community council
Council area
Lieutenancy area
CountryScotland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townMALLAIG
Postcode districtPH41
Dialling code01687
UK Parliament
Scottish Parliament
List of places
UK
Scotland
57°04′N 5°40′W / 57.07°N 5.66°W / 57.07; -5.66
Knoydart National Scenic Area
Ladhar Beinn from Eileann Choinneach
Map
LocationLochaber, Scotland
Area507 km2 (196 sq mi)[2]
Established1981
Governing bodyNatureScot

Knoydart /ˈnɔɪdərt, ˈnɔɪdɑːrt/ ⓘ (Scottish Gaelic: Cnòideart) is a peninsula in Lochaber, Highland, on the west coast of Scotland. Knoydart is sandwiched between Lochs Nevis and Hourn — often translated as "Loch Heaven" (from the Gaelic Loch Néimh) and "Loch Hell" (Gaelic: Loch Iutharn) respectively, although the somewhat poetic nature of these derivations is disputed.[3] Forming 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".[4] It is only accessible by boat, or by a 16-mile (26 km) walk through rough country,[3] and the seven miles (11 km) of tarred road are not connected to the UK road system.

Knoydart is designated as one of the forty national scenic areas in Scotland, which are defined so as to identify areas of exceptional scenery and to ensure their protection from inappropriate development.[5] The designated area covers 50,696 ha (125,270 acres) in total, of which 40,201 ha (99,340 acres) is on land, with a further 10,495 ha (25,930 acres) being marine (i.e. below low tide level).[2]

The area is popular with hill walkers, mountaineers, sailors and wildlife enthusiasts. It includes the Munros of Ladhar Bheinn (1020 m), Luinne Bheinn (939 m), Meall Buidhe (946 m) and Sgurr na Cìche (1040 m).[6] The peninsula also contains six Corbetts, including Ben Aden (887 m) and Beinn na Caillich (785 m).[7]

  1. ^ "2011 Census Profile for Output Area S00117868". National Records of Scotland. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
  2. ^ a b "National Scenic Areas - Maps". Scottish Natural Heritage. 20 December 2010. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
  3. ^ a b "The special qualities of the National Scenic Areas" (PDF). Scottish Natural Heritage. 2010. pp. 190–197. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
  4. ^ "Knoydart: Britain's last wilderness". The Independent. 21 March 2009. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
  5. ^ "National Scenic Areas". NatureScot. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  6. ^ D. Bennet & R. Anderson. The Munros: Scottish Mountaineering Club Hillwalkers Guide, pp.164-171. Published 2016.
  7. ^ R. Milne & H. Brown. The Corbetts and Other Scottish Hills: Scottish Mountaineering Club Hillwalkers Guide, pp.169-174. Published 2002.