Remote islanders appeal for new residents on Isle of Rum
A remote Scottish island is appealing for new residents to come forward – from families to individuals.
Four new, energy-efficient homes for rent are currently being constructed on the Isle of Rum, part of the Inner Hebrides.
Mountainous Rum is one of the Small Isles, south of the Isle of Skye and about eight miles wide and 20-miles from the ferry port of Mallaig on the mainland. It has a population of just over 30, with only one child in nursery and just two in primary school, and six children in total.
The community trust is seeking applications from those who wish to move, with the chance of a visit in August and a possible move-in date later this year.
The four, two-bedroom homes under construction are situated on the edge of Kinloch, the island’s only village.
It offers stunning views up to the Rum Cuillin mountains on an island where red deer, feral goats, Highland cattle and ponies roam free.
The Isle of Rum Community Trust (IRCT) owns much of
Kinloch village and has reopened the allocation process after the pandemic.
Following a sift of applications, the trust hopes that later in the summer it will be safe for prospective islanders to visit Rum, to allow them to decide if relocating to a remote Scottish island might really be for them.
The trust said the houses should be completed by September and that it will be possible to welcome new residents soon after – covid-permitting.
New islanders would have to have a plan for how they would support themselves as there are no direct jobs currently on offer, the trust said. However, there are a range of self-employment opportunities, with trades such as qualified joiners, electricians and plumbers, remain in high demand.
There are also multiple tourism opportunities related to Rum’s mountains and unique geology, or its seabird colony of over 200,000 Manx shearwaters, or ‘marine tourism’ opportunities made accessible from the shelter of Loch Scresort bay.
The trust said the village has ‘excellent, fast, fibre broadband to every property’.
The new homes are currently under construction by Acharacle builders, S&K MacDonald Homes, from a design by Kearney Donald Partnership of Fort William, and are being built to the highest eco-standard to ensure long-term sustainability.
As well as diversifying the local economy, the island also hopes to attract families with young children.
Resident, Lesley Watt said: ‘We have a population of around 32 people, including six children. With only one child in nursery and two in our primary school we need more families to fill our school as well as to be the next generation of islanders.’
The homes were largely funded by the Scottish Government, with significant financial support also provided by commercial fish farm company, Mowi, which has a farm on the north coast of the island, as well as hotel group, The Crerar Trust.
For application forms and further details visit www. isleofrum.com or email: isleofrumhousing@gmail.com