Kinloch Castle Hostel
Taigh-òsta Chaisteil Chinn an Locha
.gif "SNH Logo")
Please note that Kinloch Castle Hostel will be closed over winter 2011/2012 to allow maintenance works to be carried out. We will reopen to the public on the 2nd of April 2012 - see the 'News' pages for more details. Please also see this news article here about temporary accommodation replacing Kinloch Castle hostel facilities in the future.
The hostel, Bistro and Courtyard Bar are located mainly in the old servant’s quarters within Kinloch Castle, which is owned and managed by Scottish Natural Heritage. The fabulous principle wing/museum of the castle is run separately from the hostel and is open for guided tours - please see the Things to Do section for tour information. The hostel reception is located in the castle’s central courtyard which can be found by following the track leading to the rear of the building.
The hostel currently contains 42 bed spaces, in a mix of 4-6 bed dormitories, twin and double rooms. Included in these are the Oak Rooms, complete with gothic/mock Tudor style four poster beds, and the William Bass Room, a spacious family room with 5 single beds and period decor.
2012 Hostel rates per night:
Dorm Beds £16 per person per night and inlcudes bedding and linen
Hostel Double/Twin Room £45 per room per night and includes bedding, linen and towels
Oak Room Double £55 per room per night and includes bedding, linen and towels
William Bass Room (5 x single beds) £80 per room per night and includes bedding and linen
Please note there are no ensuite facilities available in any of the rooms
Deposits and Payments
A non-refundable deposit equivalent to the cost of the first night's accommodation is payable on booking - by cheque, made out to 'Kinloch Castle', or you can call or email with your card details. When checking out, payments can be made by credt/debit card, cash or cheque.
We offer a group discount of 10% against accommodation charges for organised groups of 10 or more guests providing that the groups bill is settled by one single payment (including payment for meals and extras)
Kinloch Castle Hostel Facilities
Bistro
Courtyard Bar
Public laundry
Drying room
Wifi
Public payphone
Bike rack
Reading Room
Toilets, showers and bathtubs
Self-catering kitchen - this is open to all guests and includes the following features:
- 2 gas cookers with ovens
- pots, pans, crockery and cutlery
- microwave
- toaster
- two fridges
- food storage shelves with labelling system
- Glass and metal recycling points and compost bin
Kinloch Castle Bistro
Guests can choose to self cater, or to have meals in the bistro. Advance bookings, a minimum of 24 hours in advance, are essential for the Bistro. Please advise staff of any special dietary requirements before your arrival.
Breakfast £7.50 per person – toast, cereals, juice, yoghurt, fruit, tea, coffee, plus a selection of the following: Eggs, bacon, black 
pudding, sausages, hash browns, baked beans, mushrooms and grilled tomatoes. Porridge is also available on request.
Packed Lunch £5.50 per person - Includes a sandwich, piece of fruit, muesli bar, packet of crisps and a juice box. These are available for collection from the Bistro during breakfast service.
Three Course Dinner with Tea/Coffee - £15.50 per person - Offered as a set three course menu based on a theme, however, guests who advise us of special dietary requirements in advance will be catered for accordingly.
There is a 10% meal discount for children 12 years old and under.
Sample Dinner Options
Mexican Night
- Cheesy Nachos with Homemade Guacamole and Fresh Salsa
- Chilli con Carne
- Rich Chocolate Mousse with Kahlua
Homely Cuisine
- Carrot and Red Pepper Soup and Crispy Roll
- Steak and Ale Pie with Steamed New Potatoes and Vegetables
- Spicy Rhubarb Crumble with Custard
Fishy Friday
- Bacon and Avocado Salad
- Fish Pie, with smoked haddock, white fillet, onions, carrots and soft boiled eggs in a creamy mustard sauce topped with mashed potato and parmesan, served with garden peas
- Fruits of the Forest Cheesecake
We also do an Oriental night, Scottish night, Mediterranean night and Sunday Roast Dinner. We can also cater for groups and special occasions. For further information concerning your catering needs please contact Rachel Wild, Catering Manager on 01687 462 037 or at rachel.wild@snh.gov.uk
The Courtyard Bar
The Courtyard Bar is the only bar on Rum and is located just in the castle courtyard. Beer, wine, spirits, soft drinks and salty snacks are served from 1700-2300 Monday to Saturday and 1830–2300 on Sundays. Non-residents are welcome. The entrance is through the archway at the rear of the building.
Pets
With the exception of assistance dogs, animals are not permitted in the hostel or museum. Well behaved dogs are permitted in the Courtyard Bar, and those belonging to guests staying in the hostel may sleep in the boot room if they are tied up and owners bring bedding for them.
Contact
Reception
Kinloch Castle
Isle of Rum, PH43 4RR, UK
Phone: 01687 462 037
Email: kinlochcastle@snh.gov.uk
Please note that reception in not staffed continuously, however, we will attempt to answer all queries as soon as possible.
back to top
Bed and Breakfast
Leapaidh ‘s lìte
There is currently no bed and breakfast accommodation available on Rum. We hope that this situation will change during the course of 2012 and will be posted here so please check back soon!
back to top
Caravan to Let
Carabhàn
There is a caravan to let, situated on the shore of Loch Scresort, with stunning views. Sleeps up to 3, possibly 4.
Facilities include gas and electricity, cooking facilities, pots and pans, fridge and a nice teapot.
For more info contact Fliss on 01687 462744 or e-mail fliss@isleofrum.com
back to top
Kinloch Village Campsite
Làrach-campaidh
Kinloch Village Campsite is run by the Isle of Rum Community Trust and is situated on the shores of Loch Scresort. It's a 10 minute walk from the ferry terminal and then it's a further 10 minute walk to Kinloch Castle. Please click on the Map of Kinloch Village to see where the campsite is located. The campsite is fairly small and basic but has stunning views of the mainland mountains and is a great base for exploring the island. There is no need to book and you choose where you would like to pitch your tent. We strongly advise you to be prepared for the voracious appetite of the Rum midge so if you are visiting during the summer months be sure to stock up with midge repellent and midgehoods – available at the Village Shop. Check out the midge forecast for your stay.
Campsite Facilities
2 x toilets
2 x hot showers
2 x woodenshelters
2 x picnic benches
2 x fresh water taps
2 x washing up basins (cold water only)
2012 Camping fees
'Friends of Rum' receive a 10% discount
£5.00 per adult per night
£2.50 per child (16 and under) per night
£1.50 per shower if your are not staying at the campsite
Pay the IRCT ranger or pay at the honesty box located on the side of the shower building – self-registration forms can be found inside the camping shelters.
back to top
Camping Cabins - Coming Soon
Taighean-aodaich
New for 2012!
Rum Camping Goes Glam:
Two fully insulated, double glazed wishbone camping cabins are available for booking from 6th April, offering family accommodation for up to four adults.
Each cabin has four mattresses for a sound sleep and solar lighting. There is a camping shelter nearby and the cabins are close to the campsite showers and toilets, with views down Loch Scresort to the Sleat peninsula on Skye. There is no electricity to the cabins.
Water and washing up facilities are close by, but there’s no kitchen so you will need all your usual camping equipment minus tent and camping mats.
Escape the rain and the midges to a cosy private cabin!
Tariff:
£20 per night for up to two people
£7.50 per night for each additional person
Booking essential: email RumKabins@gmail.com or call Rum shop on 01687 460 328. Please let us know if you have any special requirements to access the cabins.
A deposit of the first night’s accommodation is required to confirm your booking.
back to top
Page updated 20th February 2012
Mountain Bothies
Bothanan
There are two bothies on Rum located in Guirdhil and Dibidil and are both over 3 hours walk away from the village. These bothies are in fantastic locations on Rum and are very basic so carrymats, bedding and cooking stoves are essential. Dibidil Bothy has a wood burning stove and bunks (BYO mattress). Guirdhil has an open fire and a raised wooden platform for sleeping. It is not possible to book the bothies as they are maintained by the Mountain Bothy Association. For more information on bothy protocol have a look at the Mountain Bothy Association website. Also, here is the MBA link to a book written about the restoration of Dibidil Bothy in 1970. For walking times and map information, please see our Walks section.
BE PREPARED!
Rum, while wonderful can have savage weather so make sure that you have suitable clothing and footwear as the roads and tracks are very rough in places. In season midges are fierce so take precautions.
back to top
Wild Camping
Campadh Seach-rathaideach
back to top
