SNH chairman hails successful Rum meeting

Speaking after the visit last week, Mr Ross said he had the ‘good fortune’ to visit Rum which is one of the most important conservation sites in Scotland.

His comments come as SNH reviews its 10-year management plan for the reserve with consultation running until 20 July 2016.

The island is a nest site for 11 species of seabirds on sea cliffs on the south coast. They include around 2,000 pairs each of kittiwakes and guillemots, and smaller numbers of fulmars and razorbills. It is also home to one of the world’s largest colonies of Manx Shearwaters with 23% of the breeding population.

And it is also the site of the famous Edwardian-era Kinloch Castle.

Commercial stag shooting is available after stag shooting rights were leased last September for 2015 and 2016 to Gallanach Lodge on the Isle of Muck.

The lease will also provide socio-economic benefits to the community of Rum by providing seasonal employment and giving support to local businesses.

The chairman of the Isle of Rum Community Trust was also involved in identifying the successful tenderer.

Mr Ross said: “The challenge of a sustainable future for Kinloch Castle remains but during my visit last week I was heartened to see it was in better physical condition than might have been expected.

“We will continue to explore options and possible long-term solutions for the castle, of course, and that very much means working with the community, who will be fully engaged in this process.

“This is a working NNR with its own species and habitats and is an accessible, high-quality visitor experience. I also greatly valued the opportunity to have an informal meeting with locals.

“We are committed to working with the community and I welcomed the opportunity to be shown around the community-owned bunkhouse; I was impressed by the facility and pleased to see how busy it was.

“I am also encouraging people to have their say on the future management of the reserve and would encourage all to make their views known. In this way we can ensure a National Nature Reserve that gives visitors the very best value and experience and brings benefits to the Rum community.”

The reserve also welcomed the addition of two Highland pony foals born in the past few days.