Isle of Rum Community Trust and the Community Ranger
For enquiries about the community trust, crofts, village land and building plots, the village campsite or other general questions about Rum, please feel free to contact us
Development Officer - Vikki Trelfer - development@isleofrum.com
Company Secretary and Administrator (Part Time) Fliss Fraser - info@isleofrum.com
Community Ranger - Mike Werndly - Email: ranger@isleofrum.com
Isle of Rum Community Trust Office
Isle of Rum, PH43 4RR, UK
For enquiries about the Isle of Rum Community Trust, contact:
info@isleofrum.com
Or call 01687 462404 during office hours: 9.30am – 4.30pm Monday to Friday
For enquiries about volunteering with the Trust, please contact volunteering@isleofrum.com
For enquiries about Kinloch Castle, please follow this link to the Hostel Reception contact detail.
About Us
The Isle of Rum Community Trust is a company limited by guarantee with charitable status, established in 2007. Follow this link to the recent history page where the main aims of the trust and its origin are explained in detail. The trust is made up of a board of directors from both on and off island and from a range of different backgrounds. These individuals all volunteer their time and expertise to the benefit of the community.
On-island directors:
Alison Morris
Lesley Watt
Jinty Crocket
Sylvia Beaton
Nicola Goddard
Off-island directors:
Allan Henderson (Chairman)
Charlie King
Useful Links and Documents
Isle of Rum Community Trust Memorandum and Articles
IRCT and SNH Visitor Management Plan Report 2011
Village Centre and Byre Planning for Real Report 2011
Join the 'Friends Of Rum'
The Friends of Rum are a committed group of supporters who help the Isle of Rum Community Trust to achieve our objectives by providing an income for projects, sharing their skills, and through in-kind donations.
Friends of Rum:
- Receive 2 newsletters per year with updates on what we’ve been doing
- Get a 10% discount on IRCT accommodation at the campsite and the Camping Kabins
- Have achance to be part of Rum’s development by putting forward ideas and providing valuable feedback
- Enjoy opportunities to join our special Friends events
- Are able to volunteer for specific practical projects and become part of the community
- Demonstrate their commitment to the vision of the Isle of Rum Community Trust
Annual subscriptions are £10 for an individual or £20 for a family. Download a membership form here. Simply send a cheque made payable to Isle of Rum Community Trust with the completed form or you can contact the Office if you would like to pay by standing order. We prefer to send communications by email, so please indicate if you would prefer to receive updates by post – remember to tell us if the subscription is a gift for someone else!
Page updated 17th January 2013
Scottish Natural Heritage - Reserve Office 
The SNH Reserve Office is located in the Whitehouse which is at the road junction next to the wooden information shelter about a 10 minute walk from the ferry terminal.
Please contact us if you have any enquiries about the Rum National Nature Reserve.
The Whitehouse
Isle of Rum, PH43 4RR, UK
Telephone: 01687 462026
Email: nnr@snh.gov.uk
Website: www.nnr-scotland.org.uk/rum/
Useful SNH Rum downloads from www.snh.gov.uk
Visit Rum NNR/Tadhail Rum Tèarmann Nàdair Nàiseanta 2011
Rum Natures Island 2007
Rum and the Small Isles - A landscape fashioned by geology 2004
Kinloch Castle SNH and RCAHMS 1999
The Reserve Plan for Rum National Nature Reserve 2010-2016 2010
The Story of Rum National Nature Reserve 2009
SNH Commissioned Report, Review: Isle of Rum: vegetation history and landscape change 1997
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Rum Shop and Post Office
Isle of Rum, PH43 4RR, UK
Email: rumshop@isleofrum.com
Page updated 15th March 2012
FAQ's
Q. Do you need permission to visit Rum?
Q. How long does it take to walk from the ferry terminal to the places in the village?
Q. Where are the public toilets on Rum?
Q. Can I take my car to Rum?
A. No. The roads are privately owned by the Isle of Rum Community Trust and you need a good reason and a special car permit. Please contact the SNH Reserve Office for more info about car permits. The roads are unsuitable for anything less than a 4X4 and the speed limit is 15 miles per hour. People generally leave their cars parked at Mallaig or Arisaig while they visit Rum. Campervans are not permitted.Q. Can I take my bicycle to Rum?
Q. Are there internet facilities on Rum?
Q. Will I get any mobile phone reception?
A. There is limited reception on Rum. Most people can get a small signal standing outside the front of the Kinloch Castle or at the shop or ferry terminal. Sometimes walkers can get a signal from the tops of hills but don't rely on it!
Q. Are dogs allowed on Rum?
See www.outdooraccess-scotland.com for info about your rights and responsibilities.
Q. What is the weather like and which are the best months to visit?
Q. Can I see eagles?
Q. Is there a shop?
Q. Is there an ATM on Rum?
A. There aren't any ATMs on Rum - but there are some in Arisaig and Mallaig. You can get cash withdrawals at the Rum Post Office but please note that only certain types of cards are accepted in Post Offices - so please check with your local Post Office to see if your card will be accepted here too.
Q. Are there guided walks?
Q. How many people live on Rum?
Q. Is everyone on Rum Scottish?
Q. Do people live on Rum all year round?
A. Yes, most of the residents live on Rum all year although there is a small number of seasonal staff and volunteers.Q. What do people do in winter?
Q. Is there a school?
Q. Does everyone live in Kinloch Village or are there other villages on Rum?
Q. Where does the electricity on Rum come from?
A. Scottish Natural Heritage run the electricity generating plant on Rum. Electricity is provided by two small hydro-electricity turbines backed up by diesel generators. There is also a battery inverter system which can store excess power for use at peak times. Unfortunately the hydro runs from a small burn and there is no reservoir to store water so during dry or frozen conditions the diesel generators supply most of the power, although the battery inverter system can store excess power to cut down on carbon dioxide emissions. The power supply on Rum is limited so the use of too many high powered appliances can cause a black out therefore electric cookers, heaters and other similar appliances are not encouraged. Follow this link for an interesting report on our power.
Q. Where does the drinking water in the village come from?
A. Rum gets plenty of rainfall and the water system is fed from the same water intake as the hydro electric scheme. All the water supply in the village first gets chlorinated before being piped to buildings. This ensures that the water pipes stay clean and free from nasties such as E. Coli and the Highland Council tests our tap water regulary to make sure it's safe to drink.
Q. How bad are the ‘Midges’?
A. Rum midges are notorious for being some of the worst on the west coast, so take suitable precautions. The village shop sells midge head nets/jackets, a range of different insect repellents, mosquito coils and incense sticks. Midges usually start to appear at the beginning of June and disappear with the first frosts around October. They don’t comeout when it’s windy and if you walk at a brisk pace, you will be too fast for them. For more information see www.midgeforecast.co.uk
Q. What else?
A. BE PREPARED! Rum, while wonderful can have savage weather (so have suitable clothing and footwear); does have very rough roads (even within Kinloch they aren’t that great – take note child buggy pushers); in season midges aren’t a joke so take precautions; rough weather can cancel the ferry for days, perhaps great but slightly inconvenient if stuck on the island, very disappointing if trying to get there.
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Further Reading
PDF Downloadable Booklets / Leaflets / Online Resources
Please note that some of these downloads are fairly large so may take a while to download
Rum National Nature Reserve (NNR)
Rum Natures Island 2007 SNH booklet and visitor guide
The Reserve Plan for Rum National Nature Reserve 2010-2016 2010 SNH detailed plan for Rum NNR
The Story of Rum National Nature Reserve 2009 SNH detailed history of Rum NNR
Kinloch Castle
Geology
Rum and the Small Isles - A landscape fashioned by geology 2004 SNH bookletRecent research developments on the Isle of Rum, NW Scotland, by CH Emeleus and VR Troll - Geology Today article Sep/Oct 2011 Edition
Archaeology
"Rhum - Mesolithic and later sites at Kinloch excavations 1984-86" - online report by CR Wickham-Jones
Archaeology Development Plan for the Small Isles: Canna, Eigg, Muck, Rum 2005 - Highland Archaeology Services Ltd
History
1901 Census for Rum and the 1911 Census for Rum - transcribed by Catherine Duckworth - from the Kinloch Castle Friends Association website.
Birds
Manx Shearwaters SNH leaflet
Golden Eagles SNH leaflet
Sea Eagles SNH booklet
The Birds of Rum Species List - over 200 species! - compiled from "Checklist of the Birds of Rhum" by J Love for NCC 1984 and updated by S Morris 2011
Insects
Dragonflies and Damselflies SNH online resource
Butterflies SNH booklet
All about Midges - SNH fun facts and worksheet
Sealife
Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises SNH bookletSeals SNH booklet
Kelp Forests SNH booklet
Basking Shark Hotspots - SNH leaflet which includes a great hotspot near Rum and Canna
Maerl Beds - SNH leaflet about a fragile coral-like seaweed habitat which occurs very close to Rum
Plants
Lichens SNH booklet
Fungi SNH booklet
Boglands SNH booklet
The Flowering Plants of Rum Species List (compiled by Ali Morris from "The Flora of Rum")
The Conifers of Rum Species List compiled by Ali Morris from "The Flora of Rum")
The Ferns of Rum Species List (compiled by Ali Morris from "The Flora of Rum")
The Stoneworts, Liverworts, Mosses, Clubmosses, Quilworts and Horsetails of Rum Species Lists compiled by Ali Morris from "The Flora of Rum")
SNH Commissioned Report, Review: Isle of Rum: vegetation history and landscape change 1997
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Books
"Bare Feet and Tackety Boots: A boyhood on the Isle of Rum" - Archie Cameron Available at the Craft Shop
"Rum: A Landscape without Figres" - John A Love
"Rum: Natures Island" - Magnus Magnusson
"Eccentric Wealth: The Bulloughs of Rum" - Alastair Scott Available at Rum Shop
"Aspects of Accrington Discovering Local History" - Editors Susan Halstead and Catherine Duckworth
"Walking on Rum and the Small Isles" - Peter Edwards
"The Small Isles: Canna, Rum, Eigg and Muck" - Denis Rixson
"The Flora of Rum" - Pearman, DA. Preston, CD. Rothero GP. Walker, JP
"Rhum: The natural history of an island" - T.H. Clutton-Brock
OS Landranger Map 1:50,000 Rum, Eigg, Muck and Canna Sheet 39
OS Explorer Map 1:25,000 Rum, Muck Canna and Sanday Sheet 397
"Destination Rum" - W.R. Mitchell
"Rhum - Mesolithic and later sites at Kinloch excavations 1984-86" - CR Wickham-Jones
"A Rum Affair: A True Story of Botannical Fraud" - Karl Sabbagh
"Geological Excursion Guide to Rum: The Paleocene Igneous Rocks of the Isle of Rum, Inner Hebrides" - C.E. Emeleus
"Dibidil: A Hebridean Adventure" - Irvine Butterfield
"The Island of Rhum: A guide for walkers, climbers and visitors" - Hamish M. Brown (1988)
"Hebridean Island Hopping: A guide for the independent traveller" - Martin Coventry
"Macc and Other Islands" - Graham Wilson
"The Scottish Islands" - Hamish Haswell-Smith
"The Western Seaboard: An Illustrated Architectural Guide" - Mary Miers
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page updated 25th April 2013
Links
Travel Links
Ferry from Mallaig - see the 'Small Isles' Timetable on the Calmac Website
Ferry from Arisaig - see the Arisaig Marine website
Boat trips that visit Rum from Skye - Bellajane Boat Trips, Seafari and Aquaxplore
**New ** boat charter and inter-island shuttle, based on Mull Island Shuttle service
Boats to Charter - great if you have a bigger group or want to travel outside the ferry times: Seaknoydart, Bruce Watt Sea Cruises, and Eigg Boat Trips
Train Info - The Trainline website All trains go via Fort William and there are stations at Mallaig and Arisaig
Scottish bus service - Citylink - get a bus to Fort William then a train to Arisaig or Mallaig
Visit Scotland - Scotland's national tourism organisation
Road to the Isles - a useful website with lots of links for accommodation and services from Fort William to Mallaig
Isle of Canna - Canna is a great place to go for a day trip from Rum as the ferry links are ideal - check out their great restaurant : www.cannarestaurant.com
Other Useful Links
Kinloch Castle Friends Association Volunteer group that was formed to help preserve Kinloch Castle
Rum Crafts - Rum craft shop online
Edinburgh University Red Deer Project at Kilmory, Isle of Rum
Tattie House Blog - follows Rum residents' progress in their rennovation of the 'Tattie House'
Wondering Wanderers Blog - follow our crofting family adventures since their arrival on Rum in 2012
Twitter about Rum - @isleofrum
Rum Ranger on Twitter - @rumranger
Westword - Local monthly paper for the Small Isles, Mallaig, Arisaig, Morar and surrounds
Lochaber Geopark - Website with information about Rum and Lochaber's geology
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds - RSPB
Scottish Natural Heritage - SNH
Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust
Tobar an Dualchais - An online catalogue of Scots and Gaelic recordings - including many contributions from the Canna House collections
Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS) - search this website to see the ancient and historical monuments on and around Rum
Met Office Mallaig Weather Forecast
XC Great Britain Weather Forecast
Admiralty 7 day tide prediction for Rum
Dutch website for travel infomation in Scotland
Rum Photo Galleries
Here are links to people's own online photo galleries and videos. Please contact the IRCT office if you would like to add your own Rum gallery link
Flickr group called 'Isle of Rum' that has started showcasing images of Rum Here. Many excellent landscape images
Have a look at this gallery by George Logan after his trip to Rum in October 2011.
Follow this link to Laurie Campbell's website.
YouTube video about Rum - In April 2010 six wildlife and media students form the University of Cumbria headed off to the Isle of Rum for ten days of Sunshine and Wildlife Filming. This film was submitted as part of their Expedition Planning Module at the University of Cumbria.
Web design and Photography
All photographs are copyrighted and this will be shown when hovered over with your mouse.
The photographs used in our rolling header section are copyright of: Ian Bolas, Martyn Baker, Laurie Campbell, George Logan, Georgina McMillan and Sean Morris.
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page updated 27th August 2012
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