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Giuirdil Bothy was, for me, the more interesting of the two Bothies. I think the location, right on the edge of a bay, and the collection of derelict / collapsed buildings next to it make it really interesting. Wildlife Watching: Rum is home to a diverse array of wildlife. From majestic red deer to playful otters and a multitude of bird species, nature lovers will be in heaven on this island. Guided wildlife tours (April to October) offer an opportunity to learn more about these animals as well as catch sight of rarities like white-tailed and golden eagles. This was to be our first full day on the Isle of Rum, with a traverse of the Cuillins and a stay at Dibidil Bothy that night.
Rum is also home to over 900 red deer which have been part of the world’s longest-running study into a wild animal population since the early 1950s. During late September and early October the annual red deer rut takes place. This is the deer mating season, and while fascinating to watch, stags can be extremely dangerous during this time and should be given a wide berth. This comprised of a short wander around Kinloch followed by a hill walk up Hallival and a cycle to Kilmory Bay, with extra time allocated for picnic stops and plenty of photos.From the dam, it’s possible to head further south to the Rum Cuillin’s on a well-worn mountain trail that crosses five of Rum’s six mountain peaks. However, at around 12 hours it’s a hike that will be impossible for day-trippers.
The route took us essentially south-east to north-west of the island and across a few rivers (burns). There was quite a bit of rough moorland (which I felt at home on) and some steep cliffs that the path shadowed in places. Although none of the mountains on Rum are Munroes, the weather can change in the blink of an eye, so be prepared and ensure you have suitable clothing, footwear and navigation tools. The guest book tells of the regular visits of deer down to the seashore. We did have a couple appear at twilight but they stayed behind the bothy , not straying onto the beach itself. But I think there is (or was) a stag called Brutus (if I remember the name rightly) who is a beach comber on occasion. The majority of people on Rum live around the tiny village of Kinloch which is also the location of the ferry terminal and the first place visitors step foot onto. Location: North West Highlands - LAT/LONG 57.3722, -5.2405, NH 052 360, 261m, LR Map 25, Explorer 429It’s a short walk to the end of the footpath which stops at a man-made dam across the Allt Slugan a’ Choilich burn, but it’s worth the effort involved as the views along the entire length are incredible. before this trip I was chatting to a blogger and a man with real knowledge of the Scottish Islands, Pete writes over at http://writesofway.com/ and was really helpful and mentioned he was bringing a book out in June. This book looks really good, if I head up to the Small Isles of Scotland again, I’ll get it. In fact, I think I’ll get it anyway. Here’s a link to it : go buy it yourself if you’re interested in this part of the world 🙂 The Rum Cuillin provide one of the finest but most demanding hill circuits in all Scotland; an unsurpassed combination of mountain and sea with unforgettable views. The route is extremely arduous; whilst the scrambling is mostly straightforward, careful route finding is essential - the route is also very committing with few escape options. It covers the 5 major summits on Rum, including 2 Corbetts and a Fiona. Terrain On a clear day you can see St. Kilda and the Flannan Isles, while in the evening the blink of the lighthouse on Eilean Molach is a comforting friend. The bothy was designed and built by John and Lorna Norgrove more than 30 years ago and at first its construction aroused little interest, but then people began to visit and admire it.
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