Once supporting a thriving community, the island was 'cleared' to make way for sheep and deer and in the latter half of the 19th century was sold to the Bullough family who had made their money through engineering. They only used the island in the Autumn for deer stalking and fabulous parties at the incredible Kinloch Castle which they built at the head of Loch Scresort on the north-east of the island.

Rum is a granite island but Kinloch Castle is made entirely of Red Sandstone from Annan. The luxurious castle with its ballroom, elaborate Great Hall and, for the time, unique and complicated showers, proved a wonderfully secluded venue for private parties with a glittering guest list. Seclusion and privacy were paramount and guns were often fired at approaching boats to discourage the curious - thus the 'Forbidden Island'. Rumour and legend abound about the island and the Castle, but are little founded on fact. It is said, for instance, that the family must have tired of the island because after one visit they locked the doors and left never to return. However this is not true and various members of the family visited up until the 1950s when Lady Bullough gifted the island to SNH.  It is also said that music and instruments were left by the stands in the musicians gallery in the ballroom, which seems very unlikely since the instruments would have belonged to the musicians rather than the family.  They did however leave wine in the cellars.

Today, the Castle, still as it was when the family left, is a perfect time capsule of Edwardian life, including superb furniture and fittings, a marvellous Steinway piano, Lady Bullough was a pianist, and one of the few operating Orchestrions, automated organs operated by paper-rolls, in the world.
Guided tours take place most days (cost £5-16 years and over, £1 for under 16s) - phone 01687 462 037 to avoid disappointment. Hostel accommodation and meals available (see below).

The island is a marvellous place to walk and at Harris on the south coast is the unusual Greek style Mausoleum of the Bullough family.

There is a well stocked shop in the village. Owned and run by the community, it has limited opening hours but is always open in the evenings after 5pm. Apart from groceries it also sells local crafts, postcards, stamps and souvenirs.
The Village Hall is always open for people to use to escape from the rain or midges or both!! A cafe/teashop is available there several afternoons a week during the summer. It offers tea/coffee, cake, soup and other home made food. Phone 01687 462026 to checking opening times.
A small art gallery in the Bistro at the Castle, sells original artwork, prints and local crafts. Please ask a member of staff to view the original artwork.

Accommodation is limited to:

• Kinloch Castle Hostel (tel: 01687 462 037). Parties of up to 45 can be accommodated in the hostel at a rate of £14 per day (2007 prices) plus Breakfast (£7). There is one cot available free of charge. All bed linen included. Dormitory style rooms from twin bedded up to 6 bedded rooms. There are 3 Oak Room double bedrooms costing £55 per night including linen, towels and breakfast. Evening meals are available in the Bistro (£14). The bistro is also open to non residents, however to avoid disappointment it is advisable to book. Packed lunches (£5) are also available by arrangement. Open all year except 20th to 30th December.
• Camping: there is a basic camping area, with toilets and running water by the shore of Loch Scresort, within 10 minutes walk of all facilities. Phone 01687 462026 for more details from the SNH Reserve office. Can get midgey when it's not windy!

The island's population numbers approximately 30 people.

For additional information about the island, including photos and events details,
visit the new community web site: www.isleofrum.com

How to get here

• There are year-round daily sailings to the Small Isles on the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry service from Mallaig.
• Arisaig Marine operates day trips by boat in the summer from Arisaig - telephone 01687 450224.
• AquaXplore offers day trips by RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) from Elgol on Skye allowing up to 8 hours ashore on Rum.