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Whether you’re on Rum for a few hours or a few days, the Community Ranger Service helps to ensure that all visitors get the most from the island’s outstanding cultural and natural heritage.
The island offers excellent walking opportunities and is one of the best places to be if you’re into wildlife. Whatever your interests, there’s something here for you. All you need to bring is a sense of adventure and an enthusiasm for one of Scotland’s most beautiful islands.
Follow this link for volunteering opportunities with our Community Ranger Service
Isle of Rum Year of Natural Scotland Ranger Events Programme 2013
Weekly favourites
Evening Talk: Tuesdays and Thursdays - An Introduction to Rum
If you want an insight into Rum’s natural and cultural heritage, then you’re welcome to attend this twice weekly lecture. Covering all sorts of topics from the sea eagle re-introduction to Rum’s Mesolithic industrial heyday.
Please note: This talk runs every Tuesday & Thursday at 8.15 pm in the Community Hall during the summer season. No need to book, all welcome. £3/£1.50.
Discover Rum: Wednesday Guided Walk
Have you ever wondered why Mesolithic man was living in this remote wilderness nearly 8,000 years ago? Did you know that Manx Shearwaters are by far the most common bird species on the island, but why don’t you ever see them during the day? Join the Community Ranger on this relaxing two hour walk and find out the answers, see some amazing wildlife and discover much more.
Please note: This guided walk is aimed at Wednesday day trippers, so if you’ve been on the island for a few days, this probably isn’t for you. If it is however, you can either turn up and buy tickets on the day, or book through Caledonian MacBrayne ferries Ltd (but this will be extra as this package includes bus travel to and from Fort William and ferry out). Meet at the ferry terminal at 1145 for a two hour (easy walk, of just under 2 miles). £5/£2.50
Rum Seabird and Dolphin Experience: Thursdays - onboard the MV Sheerwater (boat trip)
Rum is surrounded by an extremely rich marine environment and is one of the best places in Europe for seeing seabirds and cetaceans. During this two hour mini pelagic trip to the Island of Soay, encounter our most important breeding bird, the Manx Shearwater doing what it does best. There’s a good chance of seeing a range of other sea life too, including minke whale, basking shark, harbour porpoise, bottle-nosed and common dolphins, or even rarer species like the sun fish, killer whale or leatherback turtle.
Please note: this trip runs from late April - Mid September only, but will run on every Thursday over that period unless weather bad. Meet at the ferry terminal at c1230, back 1430-1500. Interested parties or individuals need to register their interest in advance (at least the day before if possible). Please contact the Ranger on rangerisleofrum@yahoo.co.uk £10/5.
***Please note there will be no Ranger on the boat trip on Thursday 23rd May ***
Where Eagles Dare: Friday Guided Walk
Fortunately no Burtons or Eastwoods here, but plenty of the real thing.... golden and white-tailed sea eagles. On this two & a half hour tour into Rum’s interior, experience firsthand the eagle environment, and of course the birds themselves. Within a spectacular setting, learn about their identification, breeding biology, ecology and behaviour of Scotland’s biggest birds of prey. A true Highland experience, not to be missed.
Please note: Runs every Friday morning (0930-1230). This guided walk is considered easy to moderate as covers a distance of approximately four miles, but on a relatively good surface. This walk may be cancelled at short notice if the weather is bad as eagles don’t like wind and rain. £5/£2.50.
Events by Month
For event information and details of how to book places, please follow this link to the 2013 Ranger Events Programme
April
Tuesday 2nd - Otter Walk
Saturday 13th - Meet the locals - The Manx Shearwater: Night time colony guided walk **FREE**
Saturday 20th - Kilmory Beach Clean and BBQ **FREE**
May
Tuesday 7th May - Spring Flowers
Monday 20th May - Biodiversity of the Rocky Shore
Tuesday 21st May - Rum Geology Day led by Lochaber Geopark **FREE**
Tuesday 28th May - Our Ancestors
June
Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd June - Wildlife Photography Workshop Weekend
Monday 10th June - The Moths and butterflies of Rum **FREE**
Tuesday 11th June - Tree Identification workshop
Friday 21st and Saturday 22nd June - Meet the locals: Rum’s Red Deer (midsummer camping trip) **NO DOGS PLEASE**
For further information and details of how to book, please follow this link to the 2013 Ranger Events Programme
July
Tuesday 2nd July - Damsels and Dragons 2nd July
Friday 12th July - Kids Biodiversity Afternoon **KIDS GO FREE**
Monday 15th July - Storm Petrels (Evening excursion)
August.jpg "Tystie89 (c) Sean Morris")
Monday 26th August - Kids Biodiversity Afternoon **KIDS GO FREE**
Tuesday 27th August - A Rum pony insight **FREE**
September
Monday 2nd September - The Beginners Guide to Fungi
Saturday 7th September - Meet the locals - The Manx Shearwater: Night time colony guided walk **FREE**
October
Saturdays 5th and 12th October - The Rum Rut: Guided walk to Kilmory
Tuesday 15th October - The Changing Season
Tuesday 29th October - Coastal Otter Walk
For further information and details of how to book, please follow this link to the 2013 Ranger Events Programme
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Important information
Please come prepared as Rum is a rough and ready sort of place, but all guided walks are on fairly level roads and are considered good. However, please bring walking shoes or boots, warm clothing, waterproofs and a midge-hood! Tours are subject to confirmation and may be cancelled if the weather is bad, so please check the notice boards around the village, or confirm with the ranger
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Other events
Education
Volunteering
If you are interested in volunteering with the Ranger Service, we hold several events each year. Please keep up to date with the Events page or e-mail volunteering@isleofrum.com for more information.
Visitor Centre
The Visitor Centre is situated on the lower shore road near the old pier. There’s an exhibition space where you can learn about the island’s special features and walking opportunities. If you need to apply for a fishing license or pick up information leaflets, the Centre is open everyday, c. 0830-1700.
Maps, Leaflets and Species Lists (PDFs)
Dragonflies and Damselflies of the Small Isles
The Birds of Rum Species List - (compiled from "Checklist of the Birds of Rhum")
The Flowering Plants of Rum Species List (compiled from "The Flora of Rum")
The Conifers of Rum Species List (compiled from "The Flora of Rum")
The Ferns of Rum Species List (compiled from "The Flora of Rum")
The Stoneworts, Liverworts, Mosses, Clubmosses, Quilworts and Horsetails of Rum Species Lists (compiled from "The Flora of Rum")
Ramger Events Brochure 2013
Ranger Blog
The Isle of Rum ranger blog contains Rum ranger news, wildlife sightings and more.... Click here to visit the Rum ranger blog.
Further Reading
For info about books and resources, please visit our Further Reading section
Ranger Newsletters (PDFs)
Roundup of 2009
Summer 2010
Autumn 2010
Spring 2011
Summer 2011
Autumn 2011
Contact
Ranger Service
Isle of Rum Community Trust Office
Isle of Rum, PH43 4RR, UK
Phone: 01687 462 404
Email: ranger@isleofrum.com
Ranger Profile
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Page updated 29th March 2012
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