Remote renovation opportunity on Rum
The Isle of Rum Community Trust are looking for expert and non-expert volunteers to help with an eco-restoration of a tiny cottage on the southwest edge of the island.
Harris Lodge is situated eight miles from the nearest inhabited house and thanks to its incredible views of Atlantic storms is now in a serious state of disrepair. Intervention is urgently required to rescue the building and to renovate it to modern standards.
Alex Mumford, manager of Rum Bunkhouse (and a director of the trust), explained: ‘We have had some excellent success with recruiting expert volunteers from around the country to help with recent upgrades to our bunkhouse.
‘We would now like to see what resourceful and imaginative people might be out there looking for the experience of a lifetime helping us restore Harris Lodge.’
Built as a sporting lodge in the late 1800s, the property is a short journey using a four-wheel drive vehicle over the hill from the community-owned village of Kinloch, which currently provides the only habitable accommodation on the island.
Grass covered ridges surround the lodge with views out to the Atlantic, providing grazing for the Rum ponies, red deer, feral goats and Highland cattle that currently inhabit this corner of the island.
As Covid begins to settle, the Community Trust aims, through projects such as this one, to open up the island to new income streams and markets, aiming to diversify the local economy, and support local businesses.
Resident Alison Morris said: ‘We have a population of around 46 people, including 14 young children. We need a greater diversity of employment opportunities both to attract and inspire our older children in their 20s to come back to live on the island and also to provide inspiration for the next generation of youngsters. Such a venue for hosting small groups and events would be an ideal boost for the island.’
The trust feels that a high-quality visitor experience created at Harris Lodge would provide the community with income to help both in the running of Kinloch village and to support the development of projects such as this one.
If you think you can help to make this happen, contact harris.isleofrum@gmail.com for further information.