| |
| |
Kinloch
Castle (c/o www.sypittdfs.freeola.com/Walks/Rum/index.htm)
|
View
Towards Kinloch (c/o www.sypittdfs.freeola.com/Walks/Rum/index.htm)
|
|
-- Where is it ? --
Rum (sometimes wrongly referred to as Rhum) lies to the south
of Skye between Canna to the northwest and Eigg to the southeast.
It is the largest of the Small Isles, and the fifteenth largest
Scottish island but is inhabited by only about 30 or so individuals,
all of whom live in the village of Kinloch on the east coast.
|
-- History --
Rum
has been inhabited since the 8th millenium BC and provided the
earliest known evidence of human occupation in Scotland. The early
Celtic and Norse settlers left only a few written accounts and
artefacts. From the 12th to 13th centuries on, the island was
held by various clans including the MacLeans of Coll. The population
grew to over 400 by the late 18th century but was cleared of its
indigenous population in 1826-8.
The island then became a sporting estate, the exotic Kinloch Castle
being constructed by the Bulloughs in 1900, and was then purchased
by the Nature Conservancy Council in 1957. It is now an important
study site for research in ecology, especially of Red Deer, and
is the site of a successful reintroduction programme for the White-tailed
Sea Eagle. These days the islands economy is entirely dependent
on Scottish Natural Heritage.
|
-- Books --
All
of the following books and videos are available from Amazon.
If you know of any more then please let me
know and I'll add them to the list.
 |
Rum:
Island Of Deer - John A Love
This
book by John A. Love reveals the human story of the island
of Rum, both in the tragedy of the clearance and in the
interlude of the Bullogh period when the folly at Kinloch
was built. It also covers the history of the island stretching
back to the mesolithic period and the earliest settlements
in Scotland.
Includes sections of old b/w photos, colour photos and portraits.
|
 |
Rum:
Natures Island - Magnus Magnusson
Published
in co-operation with Scottish Natural Heritage to mark the
40th anniversary of the acquisition of Rum by its predecessor,
The Nature Conservancy.
There is practical information for visitors to what was
once known as the Forbidden Isle; the book provides details
of bothy and other accommodation, walks and nature trails.
It closes with a positive vision for the island's future:
biologically diverse, economically dynamic and ecologically
sustainable. |
 |
The
Island Of Rhum: A Guide For Walkers Climbers And Visitors
- Hamish Brown
As
the title says this is a guide for walkers, climbers and
visitors. It departs from most climbing guides by giving
information on a range of topics. Rum, being an important
National Nature Reserve should appeal to a greater range
of visitors.
|
 |
The
Small Isles : Canna, Rum, Eigg and Muck - Dennis Rixon
A
collective history of the little group of islands between
Ardnamurchan and Skye. Denis Rixson provides an analysis
of Highland history from a reassessment of early Christianity
in the islands through a discussion of the islands as the
heartland of the Macrari estates in the medieval period. |
|
-- DVD's & Videos --
 |
From
'The Castles of Scotland' series:
Features
Kinloch Castle plus Edinburgh Castle, Fort George (built
after the Jacobite Rebellion near the battlefield of Culloden)
and Culzean Castle (Ayrshire's palatial attraction). |
|
-- Links --
Road
To The Isles - Page on Rum from the
website dedicated to the "Road To The Isles" which is
the main route from Fort William to Mallaig.
Internet
Guide To Scotland - The Small Isles page from this information
packed site features a section on Rum. Included are details of
a video which contains a tour of Kinloch castle.
Undiscovered
Scotland - Small Isles Ferry - Page from the always excellent
Undiscovered Scotland site which gives you all the info you'll
need on the Small Isles ferry.
Boat
Trips To Rum - AquaXplore run trips to all of the small isles
and other locations from their base at Eilgol on Skye. One particular
trip allows for a 4hr stop on Rum.
Photos
From Rum - Excellent photos of Rum from a recent walking trip |
| |
