The Old Forge Knoydart: Before and after pics show Britain's 'most remote pub' after renovation works

A double gin and tonic was the first drink poured to celebrate the reopening of the rural pub.

The Old Forge has reopened. Picture: Stephen Harris

A community-owned pub said to be the most remote on the UK mainland has reopened after it closed for major renovation works earlier this year.

Eager locals and visitors were sat outside The Old Forge in Knoydart in the sunshine for several hours, waiting in anticipation for staff to open the doors.

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Drinks were poured and music played to celebrate the development for the community-owned pub which was purchased by residents on the Knoydart Peninsula in March 2022 (pic: Mark Harris)

With no roads in or out, it's a roughly 18-mile hike over munros or a seven-mile sea crossing to get to pub, which is listed in the Guinness World Records as mainland Britain’s most remote pub.

After decades of private ownership, the building went onto the market in February 2021 for offers over £425,000.

A 14-month fundraising effort involving locals from the Knoydart Peninsula ensued, which raised more than £320,000. They were awarded a total of £500,000 from the Scottish Land Fund and about £220,000 from the Community Ownership Fund which helped the local community purchase the pub in March last year with some left over cash for essential renovation works.

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The new bar top made with Knoydart wood and which has names from people who helped in the fundraising effort carved into it (pic: Mark Harris)

The premise opened a month later, but then closed at the end of January this year for refurbishments.

Some six months later, the pub reopened once again on August 4 with a fresh look boasting new features and more space.

The first drink to be poured to celebrate the event was a double gin and tonic for local resident Jo Firminger.

Speaking about the reopening, she said: “Having legged it as fast as a 62-year-old can, I was the first at the bar and I think my first words were ‘a Hendricks and tonic please’ before proceeding to give all the team in there a big hug and thank them for the amazing work they have put in.

A mixture of locals and visitors attended the opening night on Friday (pic: Mark Harris)

"It was a very joyful evening and it is such a beautiful space now.

"We have had amazing worldwide support to buy the pub and I think all who visit will be as pleased as the community are about what has been achieved.”

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The refurbishment is estimated to have cost between £450,000 to £500,000.

Another picture showing the inside of the pub (on the day the community bought it in March 2022) before it underwent renovation works (pic: Supplied)

The works have seen the inside layout change with more space for the public bar and restaurant seating area, said Steph Harris, business development manager for the community-owned pub.

There is also a new kitchen, storeroom, cellar and toilets.

Ms Harris said the restaurant is due to open later this month and will have two menus; one which includes more pub-style food such as fish and chips and burgers, and a kid’s menu, with the other being more suited to a sit down restaurant meal.

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The pub’s heating system has had a complete overhaul, new electrics have been put in and new glazing installed.

The main bar has been redone using Knoydart wood and has the names of people who supported the fundraising effort carved into it.

Locals and visitors enjoying the new look on the opening night which took place on Friday (pic: Mark Harris)

A second, smaller bar, which is included in the refurbishment costs, will be added at a later date, and will be used during the quieter months.

Ms Harris said: “The opening evening was brilliant.

"It was such a busy weekend. There was a mixture of locals and visitors who wanted to come back and see it. So many people could see such a difference.”

Having been built in the 1770s, Ms Harris said the pub was in serious need of repair.

"There were holes in the roof and leaks everywhere which meant working there was quite stressful because in between serving people you had to keep running off and fixing things,” she said.

"It is a much more spacious place to work now.

"While a lot has been done though, we were conscious to keep the same style as the community and visitors didn’t want it to lose its spark.

"And I really think we have achieved that.

"We had a nice quote from someone who had been here over the weekend who said something like ‘it’s the same pub, but just so much better’.”