The UK’s “most remote pub” has axed a Harry Potter-themed Halloween dinner party after staff were subjected to “inappropriate grief”.
The Old Forge in Inverie, within the Knoydart peninsula in the Scottish Highlands, had advertised the 31 October event as a “spellbinding” night with “magic and wizarding wonder”.
Customers were promised a complimentary butterbeer on arrival to “Platform 9 3/4” before “departing on the Hogwarts Express”.
After venturing “through the enchanted forest to the great hall”, diners were set to be treated to a four-course Harry Potter-inspired “culinary extravaganza”.
However, the pub has since cancelled its plans after the theme proved “dividing”.
Harry Potter author JK Rowling is a pro-women’s rights campaigner and is known for her gender-critical beliefs.
In a social media post, The Old Forge said: “The pub management team has decided to cancel this year’s Halloween dinner party.
“It was always meant to be just a fun night, but unfortunately using Harry Potter as a theme has proven dividing, and some of our staff have received inappropriate grief as a result.
“We thought it was clear how we feel about everyone’s rights, especially given our recent support of the amazing Knoydart Pride celebrations – we had also planned a charity collection for trans youth on the night.
“Any upset caused by our theme choice was most certainly unintentional.”
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A children’s party will go ahead as planned, with all other services that day running as normal.
Those with complaints were urged to raise their concerns to the management committee via the “appropriate formal channels”.
The pub added: “Finally, we would just like to reiterate that the pub cares about everyone in our community, and we would ask folk to be kind and respectful to each other, and our staff.”
The Old Forge declined to make any further comment when contacted by Sky News.
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The community-owned venue is famed for being the UK mainland’s “remotest pub”.
With no roads in or out of the village, it can only be reached by walking 18 miles or by making a seven-mile sea crossing.
The pub once offered a free drink to walkers if they could get there. One unlucky hiker was forced to survive for a week in Scotland’s “last great wilderness” after becoming lost during his epic trek for a “free pint”.
