The Small Isles are some of the most distinctive and spectacular landscapes in Scotland. Rising steeply out of the Atlantic, they each present quite different silhouettes which together are unmistakable. Rùm is the largest and most mountainous of these.
The Small Isles have huge ecological and historical significance. Rùm is a National Nature Reserve with large numbers of golden and white-tailed (sea) eagles; in summer, it also hosts one of the world's largest colonies of Manx shearwaters. The remains of some of the earliest known human habitation in Scotland have been found there, with artefacts dating from over 9000 years ago. Even the name ‘Rùm' may predate the Gaelic and Norse languages.
In the late 18th century, Rùm had a population of well over 400 people spread across several villages. However, the community was devastated by the Highland Clearances, with the entire population evicted to Canada to make way for sheep. The only settlement on Rùm nowadays is Kinloch, near the ferry port. This is dominated by Kinloch Castle, a bizarrely extravagant edifice built by the Bullough family in the 1890s. This family is also responsible for the even-more-incongruous mausoleum at Harris on the south-west side of the island.
For mountaineers, the main attraction is the Rùm Cuillin, the spectacular ridge south of Kinloch. The ridge traverse is a popular summer objective and there are numerous other worthwhile scrambles nearby – see the SMC Highland Scrambles North book for more information. There is also some worthwhile rock climbing, particularly in the lower grades. Rùm and the other Small Isles are also renowned sea kayaking destinations; a winter traverse of the Rùm Cuillin accessed by sea kayak from the mainland would be a once-in-a-lifetime adventure!