Explore the Wild Beauty of the Isle of Rum

– NOW FINISHED FOR THE SEASON –

The Island of Rum is the largest of the Small Isles and measures 8 miles wide by just over 8 miles long. The island is incredibly mountainous with Askival, the highest point of the island, reaching 2,659’ above sea level. For over a century, from 1845 until 1957, Rum was a private sporting estate. Kinloch Castle was built by wealthy industrialist, George Bullough, who inherited Rum from his father. Work started in 1897 and continued for roughly three years with approximately 300 workers involved in its construction. No expense was spared, with the latest technology being implemented throughout the castle. It boasted central heating, double glazing, air conditioning and power showers! The lavish grounds included an orchard, Italian and rose gardens and heated turtle ponds. The Castle was furnished in full Edwardian splendour with numerous artefacts from around the world, many collected whilst he was touring on his 221-foot yacht, Rhouma.

Following George’s death in 1939, the Castle was rarely used and the grounds fell into disrepair. Nature Conservancy purchased the island in 1957 and Lady Bullough gifted the entire contents (with a few exceptions) to them. The island is mainly now used for botanical research and Red Deer studies, Rum is also host to a huge colony of approximately 120,000 Manx Sheerwaters. In 2010 the Rum Community Trust took over land and assets around the village of Kinloch for housing & local enterprises.