Rum

Useful Links and/or Updates

New important information on Rum Deer project and how we can help:

On the Isle of Rum there is an important scientific deer project, which occupies the north part of Rum from just West of Kilmory Bay to just East of Shamhnan Insir Bay. This is a long-term study of individual life histories based at the University of Edinburgh (see https://rumdeer.bio.ed.ac.uk/  for more information).

The project relies on being able to catch and tag newborn calves.  Over recent years there has been a big rise in kayakers camping above these beaches. Whereas Kilmory Bay is extensive and the deer there are fairly habituated to humans, Shamhnan Insir is relatively small and the deer are much wilder.  Kayaking parties that come ashore at Shamhnan Insir usually displace the resident deer uphill.  This makes it very hard for the project scientists trying to find them and their calves during the daily searches.  If there is any chance we as sea kayakers can avoid Shamhnan Insir during the peak calving season, which is approximately 15^th May to 15^th June, the project would be enormously grateful.  They of course understand if this is not possible and would just ask that campers keep a low profile and try not to disturb the deer.

A ferry service from Mallaig that also links to the other Small Isles is available: http://www.calmac.co.uk

Kinloch Castle an essential place to visit, along with other places of interest & a great bunkhouse: http://www.isleofrum.com