ADVERTISING FEATURE

From previous page Knoydart’s main link to the rest of Scotland is via TSMV Western Isles,a ferry service run by Bruce Watt Cruises Ltd. MV Western Isles provides an all year round ferry service to Inverie.In the winter sailings are Monday,Wednesday and Friday,extended in the summer to Monday to Friday.The sailing to Inverie takes about 40 minutes.It is a sail that affords some of the finest coastal views Scotland has to offer and one that boasts regular sightings of dolphins,porpoises and sea eagles.Day visitors to Knoydart need to catch the morning sailing and return on the afternoon boat- this schedule gives passengers 4 hours ashore. The afternoon boat sails on up Loch Nevis,“Loch of Heaven”,to Tarbet (in the winter the boat calls at Tarbet on a Monday and Friday only).After calling in to Tarbet,passengers are invited to enjoy tea and biscuits- an age old company tradition- as they sail on up through the beautiful narrows of Loch Nevis.TSMV Western Isles arrives back to the bustle of Mallaig harbour at around 5.30 pm.Altogether a memorable day out.

The Gatheringwas opened in March 2004,bringing a new kind of accommodation to the remote Knoydart peninsula.The aim is to put an emphasis on giving you all the friendliness,luxury and comforts of home when you are indoors,leaving you free to focus on enjoying the remote wild beauty of this area of the Scottish Highlands when you are outdoors. Breakfast will be sure to set you up for the day.A full Scottish Breakfast is served at a time to suit you – whether you're set to climb to the top of Ladhar Bheinn,or just intending to head back down to the pub! Vegetarian options (other than just cornflakes or toast!) are available and special diets can be catered for.If you just fancy something lighter a continental-style breakfast is also available.Packed lunches,including hot drinks in a flask,are available by prior arrangement,at a small extra cost.Evening meals can be taken locally,just 5 minutes away in the Old Forge or the Pier House Restaurant – or even further afield at Doune Marina for the more

adventurous walkers.All three feature local produce and seafood and can be heartily recommended!

Creag Eiridhis situated in a superb position midway between Inverie village and Glaschoille on the north shore of Loch Nevis.This charming house dates from the 1870's and has stunning views across the

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The Gathering Knoydart Luxury Bed & Breakfast Accommodation

Only 5 minutes walk from Inverie’s Pier. Stunning views of Loch Nevis and beautiful backdrop of 3 munros. All rooms furnished to the highest standard with underfloor heating and spacious en-suite bathrooms. Only £35 pp pn including a fantastic breakfast from full Scottish to smoked salmon to a Mallaig Kipper or spinach and potato tortilla. Vegetarians and special diets catered for (with advance warning). Packed lunches and luxury picnic hampers available.

For further information please call 01687 460051or visit our website at www.thegatheringknoydart.co.uk or email cara@knoydart.org

The Gathering, Inverie, Knoydart PH41 4PL ADVERTISING FEATURE

loch.It's southerly aspect ensures many hours of sunshine,summer and winter. The peace and tranquillity provide a haven for the many different types of wildlife that may be seen,such as the golden eagle,wild cat,ptarmigan, otter,seal,dolphin,and occasionally the thrilling sight of killer,humpback and minkie whales,basking sharks and porpoise in the outer reaches of the Sound of Sleat and surrounding islands. The accommodation on the ground floor consists of:drawing room, dining room,large kitchen with dish washer,utility room,bathroom,large hall with pleasing staircase to first floor with 3 twin bedded rooms,1 single/twin room plus 1 double room with extra single bed and second bathroom with bath,shower and WC.There is also a large drying room which will accommodate walking clothes for a whole party. The house is let on a self-catering basis;linen,heating,and lighting are all included in the price. House sleeps 10 (3 x Twin,1 x Double + 1 x Single,1 x Single). Private boat transport from Mallaig to Knoydart For more details please telephone 01747 852289,fax 01747 851057 or e-mail creageiridh@virginiahayward.com

The striking statue of an eight foot tall fisherman holding a young girl’s hand stands pointing out to sea has been gifted to the community of Mallaig by sculptor Mark St John Rogersof Airor,Knoydart.The statue has won favourable comment from fishermen and sailors as they set sail, including ferry passengers crossing to Skye and the Small Isles.It took Mark two winters of solitude to complete,working outside in all weathers. “This is the largest work to date that I have done,”says Mark,“it is reflective of a bygone era,a way of life so very different to that of today’s world.The statue is untitled as it evokes different ideas and memories for different people.I hope I have been able to capture a sense of tribute, homage to a feeling of family and community,a unity of spirit,an aknowledgement of the past and the strength and courage of the West

Highland character.” A web site for Mark’s work is nearly completed, www.westhighlandsculptures.co.uk Email address mark@bluebadgercruises.co.uk

For the most special accommodation on Knoydart go to Doune. Truly remote,Doune is on the western tip of the peninsula,a 20 minute walk from the short stretch of road between Airor and Inverie. Looking out over the Sound of Sleat,Doune boasts stunning views to the Skye Cuillin and summer sunsets to die for. The holiday experience here is more than equal to the spectacular setting. Come by one of the Doune boats direct from Mallaig and discover perfect peace,beautiful rooms and a genuine welcome. Doune Dining Room offers real home cooking using fresh local ingredients - crabs, langoustines,local venison and lamb,and soft fruit,herbs and salads from the Doune garden. Enter the dining room after a wonderful day to the aroma of freshly baked bread and let the meal unfold - you won’t be disappointed. And to fill these wonderful days? There is walking,geology,wildlife or just soaking up the peace and quiet. The Doune boats can give access to the spectacular Knoydart mountains or special day trips out to the Small Isles of Rum,Eigg,Canna and Muck. Do your own thing or join one of the guided walking or photography weeks. A pre breakfast walk could mean an encounter with a family of otters while the evening is the best time to get close to a group of red deer stags. Before the Highland clearances,Doune was the biggest community on Knoydart with over 100 residents. (Fascinating traces of that history remain and are well worth exploring.) Now it is home to 3 families who welcome you to share it with them. The Alistair Sawday Special Places to Stay guide says you would be hard pressed to find better value anywhere in the country,and the Visit Scotland Food Scheme has awarded Doune Dining Room their coveted silver award. One visit won’t be enough!

Summer Service 2007 May 8th – September 20th - Monday-Friday

Depart Mallaig 10:15 am Arrive/Depart Inverie 11:00 am Arrive Mallaig 12 noon

Depart Mallaig 2:15 pm Arrive/Depart Inverie 3:00 pm Calling at Tarbert 3.30 pm (please call to confirm numbers) Arrive Mallaig 5.30 pm

Winter timetable – Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Please note: NO call to Tarbert on Wednesday. All sailing circumstances and weather permitting.

www.knoydart-ferry.co.uk Brucewattcruises@aol.com 0168746 2320

Mark St John Rogers Sculptor

T:01687 460169 E:mark@bluebadgercruises.co.uk Website coming soon www.westhighlandsculptures.co.uk

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DISCOVERING SCOTLAND 57% of readers regularly visit sites of historic interest To advertise in Scottish Memories please call Alison Fraseron 0141 946 8708 or email scottishmemories@yahoo.co.uk

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