The UK’s “most remote pub” has cancelled a Harry Potter-themed Halloween party after staff were given “grief” by critics of JK Rowling. The Old Forge in Inverie, in the Scottish Highlands, initially advertised the event as a “spellbinding” staff dinner party on October 31, packed with “magic and wizarding wonder”.
The extravagant festivities planned for the pub dubbed the UK’s “most remote” included complimentary butter beer and a journey through an “enchanted forest” to the “great hall”, where a four-course themed meal would be served.
But this week, the organisers backtracked and confirmed it had been cancelled after staff were subjected to “inappropriate grief” on behalf of Ms Rowling. The British author, who wrote the series of popular children’s books, has been accused of transphobia for her views on gender identity, which she denies.
In a social media post explaining the cancellation, The Old Forge said: “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.”
The community-owned pub said a planned children’s party on Halloween night would go ahead, but the lavish themed dinner event had been axed, with all other services operating as normal.
Anyone with complaints about the matter was urged to raise their concerns with the management committee through the “appropriate formal channels”.
“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,” a spokesperson added.
The Old Forge gained its moniker as the country’s most islated boozer thanks to its location, 18 miles away from the nearest village with locals forced to hike there and back or journey across a seven-mile sea crossing due to a lack of road access.
One unfortunate hiker was stranded for a week in Knoydart, known as “Britain’s last wilderness”, after losing his way while trying to reach the pub last year.