I will be walking for three days across Knoydart from Glenfinnan to Inverie, with a few pals, all for a beer at the Old Forge!

While that's true, there are more serious motives for the trek. Last year I had the pleasure of being invited to play my guitar and entertain the attendees of the 999 Re:set Emergency Services Weekend. I'll confess to not knowing much about the charity beforehand but when I got there, I was absolutely blown away not only by the commitment and dedication of Andy and the team, but the huge positive benefits I felt afterwards. As a member of the emergency services family myself, I've felt and witnessed the toll our jobs can take on the physical, mental and emotional health of each of us but also the effect this often times has on our nearest and dearest. They never signed up for the job but will feel it's stresses alongside us. That's where 999 Re:Set really fills that void that can rear it's head in our lives. It provides an opportunity for you and your family to literally Re:set, in the stunning setting of the Cairngorms, surrounded by people who understand and carry the same burdens. I honestly can't express how much my visit benefited me and as a result, I've been keen to find a way to give back to such an amazing cause and marching for three days through the middle of nowhere to Scotland's most remote pub for a beer sounded like a bit of me! We'll be leaving on 28th May and returning on 1st June. Anyway, I could rattle on all day about it but I'll post some further details below about the trip and the amazing work of 999 Re:set. Your support would mean the world to me and others like me and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

More about 999 Re:set:

999 RE:SET is a charity established in 2023 with the aim of supporting the mental health of all blue light responders and their families by facilitating involvement in a range of outdoor pursuits and activities. As a charity ran by serving emergency services personnel, we have witnessed the toll that the job can take on emergency responders and their families. Equally, we have grown to understand the immense mental health benefits that come from getting together and supporting each other in the great outdoors. However, we are aware that that not everybody has the knowledge, network, financial freedom or confidence to get out there without support. With this in mind we organise events and activity days that include walking, climbing, paddle boarding, trail running and open water swimming. These days are led by qualified professionals providing the highest standards of instruction and safety, bringing people of all abilities and a range of backgrounds together to RE:SET. At 999 RE:SET we are trained Psychological First Aiders and work in partnership with Lifelines Scotland. As such we can provide a suitable first point of contact and signpost you to the appropriate service.

For more information, go to: https://www.999reset.org.uk/

More about Knoydart:

Knoydart is a peninsula in the Lochaber district on the West coast of the Scottish Highlands. Situated between Loch Nevis and Loch Hourn, the peninsula comprises approximately 55,000 acres which today is divided up amongst a number of landowners, with the largest area managed by the Knoydart Foundation. Knoydart is cut off from the UK mainland road network, thus meaning access can only be made either by boat or by foot. The rugged and remote landscape is one of the primary attractions of the area; and with four munros and numerous corbetts within the Knoydart boundary, hillwalkers flock from far and wide to make their ascents. Inverie is the main settlement area and is home to over half of the full time residents (currently around 120). The village holds the majority of local amenities including the Primary School, Post Office, Community Shop, Knoydart Pottery & Tearoom and The Old Forge pub; and is where the pier is located for boat access to and from the peninsula. Along the length of the bay there are also many guesthouses - including B&B's, self catering and hostels (click here for more information).

Website: https://www.visitknoydart.co.uk/

The Destination:

The Old Forge pub is situated in the small village of Inverie on the south shore of the Knoydart peninsula. The building started its life as a cottage built in the 1770's later becoming a smiddy's forge, and then over the years developed in to a workers social club and then on to the pub we know and love today. The pub went up for sale in 2021, and after some discussion amongst the locals we decided to go for community-ownership bid. The Old Forge Community Benefit Society Ltd was formed and a group of 9 dedicated local volunteers took the project forward. After 14 months of hard graft our dream became a reality - you can read the full story here. On 28th March 2022 the keys for the Forge were handed to the community - and then the hard work really began! We took a couple of weeks to get the place cleaned up, and reopened for our first trading season on 15th April 2022 which was a massive success. With the first season under our belts we closed the doors at the end of January 2023 to undertake an extensive refurbishment to bring the pub up to standard and create a better space for both staff and customers to enjoy. The pub reopened on 4th August - just in time for the influx of visitors for the Knoydart Games! Community is at the heart of everything we do here, and you don't have to live on Knoydart to be a part of that. Come along, get the craic, and join the pub family - we'd love to see you.

Website: https://www.theoldforge.co.uk/

If you made it this far, thank you! Much love, Martin.