The isle of rum is community owned with several places to stay just a 20 minute walk from the ferry terminal

Rùm (often anglicised to Rum) is the largest of the Small Isles, although has a small population at just 22 people, a of whom live in a hamlet on the east of the island. It was known for a short time as Rhum, having been renamed by a former owner, Sir George Bullough, because he did not want to be known as the “Laird of Rum”. The island has spectacular jagged mountains, the Cuillins (not to be confused with those on Skye!), an incredibly grand castle and a healthy population of red deer that you might come across while you’re out walking.

Rùm is possible to visit in a day trip, with a few hours between ferries arriving and departing the island. In this time you can take a trip to the castle, visit the craft shop and have a slice of cake at the tearoom, and soak up the atmosphere and incredible landscape of the island before sailing back to Mallaig on the mainland (or on to explore Canna). However if you have the time and an adventurous spirit, we recommend taking a tent, staying a little longer and really exploring Rùm.

What is most fascinating about this island with its tiny population is the fact that it is home to an disproportionately large and grand castle. Built in 1897 by the then-owner Sir George Bullough as a hunting lodge, the castle used red sandstone imported from neighbouring Arran, employed 300 craftsmen and cost £15 million in today’s money to build. The grounds of course had to match the grand house, and Sir Bullough imported 250,000 tons of soil to construct a walled garden complete with greenhouses, water features and bridges. Peaches, grapes and other fruit were grown in the greenhouses, and a palm house was said to house alligators, turtles and hummingbirds! The castle can be explored today.

The castle is by no means the most unusual feature on the island, as on the west side at Harris (not to be confused with the Outer Hebridean island!) stands a Greek-inspired mausoleum, looking bizarrely out of place against the rugged Cuillin mountains. This wasn’t, in fact, the original structure – Sir Bullough’s initial construction on a nearby hillside consisted of an Italian tile-lined mausoleum, but after one of his guests commented that it resembled “a gents’ lavatory”, he had it blown up and the current one built!

Back in Kindonnan, where Rùm’s population live, the tiny community have a well-stocked community shop, a tearoom, a crafts shop and a campsite – so you have all that you need to enjoy a few days (or longer!) out on the island.

Rùm’s mountains are on the bucket list for many hillwalkers, and for those who make the effort to travel to the island, the rugged peaks and ridges certainly don’t disappoint. There are a selection of low-grade, relatively flat walks and a few high-grade hikes involving scrambling and good navigation skills. Keep an eye out for sea eagles while you’re out and about – the island was the site of a successful reintroduction between 1975 and 1985, and the population is thriving. The island is also home to around 60,000 pairs of manx shearwater and golden eagles.

The island is famous for its population of red deer – around 900 strong. As one of the only sites in Scotland where the deer are not culled, they are part of a now 50-year study into their ecology. As they are not culled, they are particularly friendly and can be seen close-up. There are opportunities on the island to learn more about the research, including the database of around 3,500 individually recognisable deer recorded here since 1971!

Rùm is a fascinating and spectacular island for many reasons – whether it’s the Greek architecture in a Hebridean setting, a thriving community of under 30 people or the chance to see stunning wildlife. It’s the perfect destination for island hoppers, day trippers or anyone looking to get off the beaten track and explore a remote and rugged island.