Rough Bounds of Knoydart Wild Camping

Wild Camping Adventure The Rough Bounds of Knoydart - Britain's last wilderness

With Mark Reid FRGS – author of ‘The Inn Way’ guidebooks & Mountain Leader

Hike for 3 days through the Rough Bounds of Knoydart – Britain’s last wilderness. After catching the small passenger ferry from Mallaig to Inverie on the Knoydart peninsula, we’ll set off for three days of wild camping adventure into the heart of Knoydart. This area is so remote it is not connected to the UK road network – the only way to get to Knoydart is either by boat or hiking.

From the beautiful village of Inverie, on the west coast of the Knoydart peninsula, we’ll hike for 30 miles over 3 days (with 2 nights wild camping) through some of Scotland’s most rugged, wild and remote glens and mountain passes before returning to Inverie and a meal at the Old Forge pub, Britain’s most remote mainland pub.

We will then stay overnight at Inverie before catching the ferry back to Mallaig in the morning – look out for dolphins and seals along the way.

This will be a mountain adventure to remember!

We can provide most of your camping kit – choice of lightweight backpacking tent (1-person or 2-person), sleep-mat, expedition rucksack, dry-bag & JetBoil stove (please provide your own sleeping bag, walking clothes & food).

WHAT AN EXPERIENCE!

Wild camping adventure through the Rough Bounds of Knoydart, Britain’s last wilderness
Hike 30 miles over 3 days (with 2 nights wild camping) via remote glens and mountain passes, finishing at the Old Forge, Britain’s most remote pub
Experience the peace, quiet & solitude of true wilderness
Self reliance, personal development & achievement
A real ‘bucket list’ adventure!
No mobile phone reception for 3 days – get away from it all! *
Explore the mountains in confidence with Mark Reid
Small group size
Mark has over 130 nights of wild camping experience

* Mark will carry an InReach Mini SOS satellite emergency communicator

PERFECT FOR

Solo adventurers, couples or a small group of friends
Quality time away with your son or daughter in the Great Outdoors
Individuals who want to experience wild camping but in the safety of an organised group
Relaxing time in nature away from the stresses of life
Gaining mountain knowledge & experience
A true mountain adventure experience

ITINERARY

MONDAY

9:30am – Meet at Mallaig in Lochaber, on the west coast of the Highlands of Scotland, to discuss the expedition, weather forecast and gear check. Mallaig has a train station, parking, amenities and facilities.
10:15am – Catch the Knoydart Ferry (Western Isles Cruises) from Mallaig to Inverie (40 minute sailing)
11am – Set off on our walk up from Inverie into the Rough Bounds of Knoydart. We’ll walk up into Gleann Meadail to reach the mountain pass (549m) between Meall Buidhe (946m) and Meall Bhasiter (718m), before dropping back down to sea level and the salt marshes of the River Carnach estuary to reach Sourlies at the head of the magnificent sea loch of Loch Nevis, where we’ll camp for the night outside Sourlies Bothy. 16 km (10 miles) with 650m of ascent.
6pm – Wild Camp; set up camp, eat dinner, watch the sunset
9pm – Retire to your tent

TUESDAY

8am – Breakfast and break down camp.
9am – Our walk heads back across the salt marshes to cross the River Carnach, which we then follow into the upper reaches of its wild and rugged glen, with pockets of ancient woodland, rocky gorges and the pyramidal Munro of Sgurr na Ciche (1040m) towering above. After some rough hiking along boggy, rocky and indistinct paths, we join a stalkers’ path that takes us over the pass (522m) between Luinne Bheinn (939m) and Sgurr a’Choire-bheithe (913m), then gradually down into the remote Gleann Unndalain to reach Barrisdale Bay, where there is a Bothy and camping area. 16 km (10 miles) with 600m of ascent.
5pm – Wild Camp; set up camp, eat dinner, watch the sunset
9pm – Retire to your tent

WEDNESDAY

8am – Breakfast and break down camp.
9am – Our final leg of our hike back to Inverie and Britain’s most remote mainland pub, we’ll leave Barrisdale Bay and soon climb to the mountain pass of Mam Barrisdale (448m) before dropping steadily down through Gleann Dubh-Lochain passing along the banks of the beautiful lake of Dubh-Lochain before following the Inverie River back to the Old Forge pub and journey’s end. 16 km (10 miles) with 540m of ascent.
4pm – Arrive at Inverie for a celebratory drink at the Old Forge Pub – there is a village shop and cafe at Inverie too.
6:30pm – Meal at the Old Forge pub, Inverie (optional)

THURSDAY

Morning – Catch the small passenger ferry from Inverie back to Mallaig, then head home (ferry times: 8am or 11am; sailing approx. 40 minutes).

The hike from Inverie through the Rough Bounds of Knoydart covers approximately 48 km (30 miles) through very remote and rugged mountainous terrain with 1,800m of ascent, spread over 3 days with 2 nights wild camping. The camping will be outside bothies, so there will be somewhere to sit indoors if the weather is inclement. All timings and distances are approximate – the daily distances may vary according to weather and ground conditions, as well as group needs. The ferry between Mallaig and Inverie is weather dependent, so flexibility may be required with regards to the time or day of departure.

Please arrange your own accommodation at Inverie. This varies from a basic beach campsite to a bunkhouse, pods or B&B – see Useful Links below.

Useful links

West Highland Railway
Inverie Campsite
Knoydart Bunkhouse, Inverie
The Gathering B&B, Inverie
Old Forge pub, Inverie
Inverie to Mallaig passenger ferry
Knoydart Village Information

YOUR GUIDE - MARK REID

FITNESS & INFORMATION

This trip includes a 3 day hike (with 2 nights wild camping) from Inverie into the Rough Bounds of Knoydart – Britain’s last wilderness – with very remote, sparsely-populated and mountainous landscapes and terrain, covering a total of approximately 30 miles (48 km) with 1,800m of ascent. All distances and ascents/descents are approximate.
A very good level of fitness is required as you will be walking across remote mountainous terrain carrying a rucksack with your overnight gear, hiking clothing and equipment as well as food (approx. 15kg) for 3 days and 2 nights. Previous mountain hiking and wild camping experience preferable.
Multi-day mountain expeditions, backpacking and wild camping takes you into remote and mountainous areas, with the potential for adverse weather conditions. The walks will include uneven ground, rough and mountainous rocky terrain, wet ground, stream and river crossings as well as a number of steep and sustained ascents and descents. The paths are rocky and very wet/boggy for long stretches, with some pathless and/or indistinct sections too. The river and stream crossings may vary from ankle deep to thigh deep water. We will be wild camping for 2 nights in remote locations amongst the glens and mountains of Knoydart. We may also experience midges and ticks, although these can be managed with simple measures such as midge head-nets and insect repellant.
We will be camping overnight in a tent in the mountains. There is the potential for significant personal discomfort due to 3 days hiking across remote and mountainous terrain with potentially adverse weather conditions, wet ground and stream/river crossings. This discomfort may range from wet boots and clothing to tiredness, getting cold and poor sleep due to wild camping, uneven ground and lots of bending down to get into and out of your tent (these are just examples and is not an exhaustive list). The plan is the camp outside Sourlies Bothy and Barrisdale Bothy, so there will be somewhere to sit indoors if the weather is inclement; we may not reach these bothies and have to camp in a wild location.
Please arrange your own travel, food and accommodation (other than wild camping) – this includes travel to/from and accommodation at Mallaig, return ferry between Mallaig and Inverie and accommodation at Inverie – there is a choice of basic beachside campsite, bunkhouse and B&Bs. Please book this accommodation directly with the campsite, bunkhouse or B&B.
There is a village shop at Inverie, where you will be able to stock up with provisions. Whilst staying at Inverie, we will eat at the Old Forge pub. Meal at the Old Forge not included.
There will be rest stops throughout the day, as well as 30-minutes for lunch.
Mark Reid is an experienced Mountain Leader. Mark has walked over 30,000 miles of footpaths throughout the British Isles over the last decade and knows the British mountains well. Since 2007, we have taken over 20,000 people walking in the hills.
Wild Camping: Wild camping is permitted in Scotland as long as you follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
Do’s and Don’ts: camp high amongst the mountains away from paths and popular areas; arrive late, leave early; leave no trace; no fires; take ALL rubbish out with you; small group sizes; respect and protect the environment.
Part of the attraction of valley, hill and mountain walking is the challenge of tackling different terrains, landscapes and weather conditions. Every effort is made to minimize potential hazards; however, the very nature of hill and mountain walking involves a certain level of unavoidable risk of accident and/or injury. By taking part in this activity, you are aware of and accept these risks.
Our walks are suitable for all ages. Under 18s (minimum age 14) may attend if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. The child must be accompanied at all times during the walk by their parent/legal guardian.
Terms and Conditions

BOOK NOW

CHOOSE YOUR Date

This includes:

3 days of guided walking from Inverie into the Rough Bounds of Knoydart, Britain's last wilderness, through remote glens and mountain passes, with 2 nights wild camping
Guided by Mark Reid, an experienced Mountain Leader
Lightweight backpacking tent
Expedition rucksack
Camping kit (drybag, sleepmat & stove)
Use of our waterproof clothing & boots if required.
TeamWalking Loyalty Reward scheme

PLEASE PROVIDE:

3-season sleeping bag
Packed lunch, camp food, drinks and snacks for 2 nights and 3 days (at the end of day 3 we'll eat at the Old Forge pub at Inverie, where there's also a well-stocked shop).
Personal walking clothing and equipment (base layers etc)
Accommodation at Inverie - this varies from a basic beach campsite (£12 per night*) to a bunkhouse pods or B&B.
Ferry between Mallaig and Inverie (£19 return*)

NB: Please provide food, travel & accommodation (other than wild camping, as this is the key activity of this trip). A detailed list of what to wear and bring will be sent to you. *2026 prices.

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