Get Lost Mountaineering

Isle of Rum

Rum is the largest of the small isles (Muck/Rum/Canna/Eigg) but has a very small permanent population (about 30 in April 2017). For its size, the facilities are surprisingly good. Guided walks are offered during the warmer months. There is a dedicated web site for the island which is http://www.isleofrum.com/ which gives all the information and contact details you will need.

The Calmac ferry from Mallaig takes about 90 minutes depending on which route it takes. Sometimes it is direct, sometimes via Eigg and/or Muck. A special permit is needed to bring cars to Rum but since it has no tarmac roads there is little point. Each ferry is met and, for a nominal charge, luggage can be transported to your destination.

There is the famous Kinloch Castle, seemingly now in decline but parts are still open at times. The old hostel was the servants rooms in the castle but that is now closed since a brand new bunkhouse was built near the shoreline. It is no longer possible to stay or eat at the castle until major structural alterations have been commissioned for which about £20 million will have to be found.

The newly built bunkhouse is superb with a lovely large lounge, excellent kitchen, lots of small rooms, drying room and showers. It has central heating and is very well insulated. Bed linen (duvets) are provided with towels available to hire. The bunkhouse is so good that it is frequently booked up so plan well ahead and hope the weather will be kind. There is also a B and B which sometimes offers evening meals to non-residents.

There is a shop/post office nearby which has limited opening hours so it is advisable to check when it is open in case food has to be taken in. It has an amazingly good selection of food given the population. The adjacent community hall contains a tea room which offers drinks, cakes and snacky meals. Evening meals may be available if booked in advance

The mountains on Rum are Black Cuillin, as on Skye, so the principle rocks are gabbro and basalt. Gabbro is an almost perfect rock to scramble on giving much friction when dry. There are two Corbetts: Askival and Ainshval and one Graham: Trallval. Note that the mountain formerly known as Trallval now seems to have been renamed as Trollabhal so expect to come across both spellings. The main ridge on Rum includes these hills and more. It is a wonderful walk but a major undertaking with total ascent more than climbing Ben Nevis! OS sheet 39: Rum and Eigg covers the whole island.

There are two drawbacks to Rum: the midges are very bad in the summer so go prepared and your compass will not work owing to the magnetic nature of the rock. Rum is also a very exposed island so, at times, there can be rough, even savage, weather on the mountains although Kinloch, itself, is fairly sheltered.

Principal Peaks

Askival, 812 m, NG 393 952.

Trallval/Trollabhal, 702 m, NM 377 952.

Ainshval, 781 m, NG 378 943.    OS sheet 39: Rum and Eigg.