We love life in Tier Free
Adventurous pair on big move to small isle and meeting just half of their 41 neighbours
Jenny Morrison A couple who moved to one of Scotland’s smallest populated islands have yet to meet half their neighbours.
When Alex Mumford, 31, and Buffy Cracknell, 29, relocated to the tiny Isle of Rum, they imagined it would take no time to meet the 41 other residents.
But five weeks after moving 575 miles from their old home in Bristol, the couple have yet to see most of their new neighbours because of Covid restrictions.
Rum’s isolated location in the Inner Hebrides makes islanders even more determined not to risk catching the bug.
Alex said: “Our welcome to the island was wonderful and we will be forever grateful to the islanders who donned masks and helped us in the rain to unload the van.
“We were even flagged down by a member of the community and handed a welcome jar of Bergamot jam, something that never happened in Bristol.
“But due to Covid it hasn’t been as easy to socialise, especially now we are in Tier 3. There have been no cases here but everyone takes the restrictions seriously due to being such a remote community.
“We have probably met around half of the other residents.”
The couple, who have been together for six years and hope to marry this summer, were among 4000 people to answer a call from The Isle of Rum Community Trust looking for new residents.
They have joined three other families moving to four newly built eco houses – boosting the isle’s population from 29 to 43.
Former gym manager Alex and marketing executive Buffy said lockdown restrictions helped give them a taste of being cut off from family and friends before they moved in November.
Alex said: “It’s been hard to put our finger on a specific reason for making such a great change in our life,but this quote by the American traveller Christopher McCandless goes some way to explaining.
“He said, ‘ The very basic core of a man’s living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences.’
“We’re not living off the land. We’ve as many comforts, I could
On a long walk the other day we saw only three locals but 100 deer
even argue more comforts, than in Bristol, a beautiful new home, the peace and tranqui l l ity of the natural world and the opportunity to contribute to a rural community.
“Yes, we may have to walk 2.5km to the bins but what a walk that is.”
Buffy and Alex, who have spent much of their lives travelling, first heard about Rum through
TV presenter Ben Fogle’s show New Lives In The Wild.
Alex said: “We had to fill in a detailed application.
“The plan was to have shortlisted candidates visit Rum but due to Covid it was cancelled. We met a few members of the community online after we were chosen and flung all our questions their way.”
While Buffy is looking for office
work she can do remotely from their island home, Alex will start a part-time job at Rum’s primary school, which now has five pupils.
They have also started a blog, www. houseby thest ream. wordpress.com
Missing loved ones is the thing they have found hardest in their first month on Rum. But they are enjoying island life and even plan to extend their family. Alex said:
“We have just been accepted by Cats Protection to get a cat called Betty who will come to the island from Inverness in January.
“We fill our days with hikes, books, cooking, baking and enjoying the peace and quiet.
“We went on a long walk the other day, seeing only three locals, but in contrast we wandered past about 100 deer – Ki lmory’s famous seaweed-eating deer.”