Isle of Rum Community Ranger Service

Neach-glèidheidh an Eilein

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.

The Ranger Service is involved in a wide range of activities and produces an annual events programme which includes engaging family-oriented wildlife experiences, guided walks and evening talks. The service also provides educational support for visiting schools, universities & organized parties, but booking is essential if assistance is required.

Please check out our 2012 events programme and experience our secret piece of the northern wilderness.

This service is funded by the European Community Highland LEADER 2007-2013 Programme, Scottish Natural Heritage, The Highland Council and the Isle of Rum Community Trust.

Ranger Events Programme 2012

Weekly Ranger Guided Tours and Walks

These are on offer at the same time each week from April to October – for more details please see attached Ranger Events Brochure

Every Tuesday & Thursday; 2015

Evening Talk: An Introduction to Rum
1 hour £3 / £1.50

Every Wedneday; 1145

Guided Walk: Discover Rum – set off from the Ferry Terminal
2 hours £5 / £2.50

Every Thursday; 1230

Boat Trip: Rum Seabird and Dolphin Experience- onboard the MV Sheerwater
2 hours £10 / £5 (Booking advised as places are limited)

Every Friday; 0900

Guided Walk: Where Eagles Dare
2.5 hours £5 / £2.50 – set off from the Village Hall

Weekly Ranger Guided Tours & Talks

In addition to the regular events, the following exciting events are on the itinerary this year (see Ranger Events Brochure for more information):

APRIL

Saturday 7th April: The return of the ocean wanderers: The Manx Shearwater Weekend

Tuesday 17th April: Guided walk - Coastal Otter Walk

Saturday 21st April: Rum Community Beach Clean & Lunchtime BBQ at Kilmory

MAY

Tuesday 1st May: Guided walk - May Day Flower Ramble

Tuesday 15th May: Guided walk - Biodiversity of the Rocky Shore

Tuesday 29th May: Guided walk – Our Ancestors

JUNE

Tuesday 5th June: The moths and butterflies of Rum

Tuesday 12th June: Tree identification workshop

Tues 26th June: Guided Walk - Rum Geology (full day expedition) – To be Confirmed

JULY

Monday 16th July: Damsels and Dragons (dipping fun for all the family)

Tuesday 24th and Friday 27th July: Kids Biodiversity Afternoons

AUGUST

Tuesday 7th August: Kids Biodiversity Afternoon

Monday 13th August: Night time storm petrels expedition

Tuesday 28th August: The Rum Ponies

SEPTEMBER

Tuesday 11th September: The beginner’s guide to fungi

Saturday 22nd September: The Rum Rut

OCTOBER

Saturday 6th October: The Rum Rut

Tuesday 9th October: Guided walk - The changing season

Tuesday 30th October: Guided walk - Coastal Otter Walk

For more information or to book any of these events, please contact the Ranger: rangerisleofrum@yahoo.co.uk

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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

Bring Rum aboard - evening talk. Apart from our land-based talks programme, the Ranger Service also caters for impromptu visits from cruise ships which anchor in Loch Scresort overnight. This programme is relatively flexible, but usually involves a forty minute evening (usually after dinner) presentation about the island, and a question and answer session afterward.Please contact the ranger for more information.

Education

The Isle of Rum Community Ranger Service encourage visits from schools, universities and organized groups .If you need educational support for a field trip please contact the ranger with your inquiry and we’ll do our best to make sure you get the most from your visit.

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)

Map of Rum Rum Map (c) Streetmap.co.uk

Map of Kinloch Village

Isle of Rum Birds Leaflet

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")

Ranger Events Brochure 2012

Ranger Blog

New for 2012 - the Isle of Rum ranger blog contains Rum ranger news, wildlife sitings and more.... Click here to visit the Rum ranger blog.

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: rangerisleofrum@yahoo.co.uk

Ranger Profile

Our Ranger Mike Werndly is responsible for delivering the interpretation programme on the island. Originally from the coastal marshes of Essex, Mike has loved wildlife and the outdoors since a child and has over twenty five years birding experience. He fully admits to being totally crazy about birds and has travelled to some far flung places in their pursuit. He has recently returned from New Zealand where he caught up with two of his most wanted species, the white-faced storm petrel and the black browed albatross. It’s not all about birds with Mike though, as he has a wealth of knowledge of other natural history subjects and is a passionate believer in the importance of environmental education and outdoor learning experiences. He first came to Rum in 2003 to investigate brown rat abundance within the island’s shearwater colonies, and has been involved with the island in one form or another ever since. He has worked for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory, Scottish Natural Heritage and at the Aigas Field Centre.