On the upside, the majority of the route is level, although towards Kilmory there are a few long inclines that will almost certainly get the heart pumping. But even so, they didn’t hang about and I was only able to watch them for a few minutes before they all disappeared over the hills. The lodge itself was overgrown with Rhododendron bushes.. very much like some occasional parts of the moors where I live (Marsden, Yorkshire). Victorian landowners had a penchant for planting these shrubs near estate houses. There are two superb routes that are a must-do for anyone on Rum with a bicycle, which are the trail from Kinloch to the Harris Mausoleum on the west of the island, and Kinloch to Kilmory on the north. Kilmory is a ten-mile return journey while Harris is sixteen miles return. Which has meant quite a few evenings of work and less head space of late. But also, for the first few days after my return, I found it hard to type for any length of time.

Jam is where it all began! Our Jam Bothy range of jam is created by hand in small batches using local Scottish fruit, just like our gin. Concealed in a small clearing within the extensive Eskmuirdale forest, on the northern side of the picturesque Eskdale Valley, Greensykes is a great place to escape the relentless pace of the modern world for a while, much like its near neighbour the Samye Ling Tibetan monastery located just over the hill. Well, for a number of reasons actually, the first being it’s one of the best places in Scotland for wildlife watching.Once the rest of the group (you know, the fit, fearless section) met me at Dibidil we pitched the fly sheets and sorted out a bivvy spot for the night. Wildlife watching. Rum is owned and managed by Nature Scot who looks after the nature reserve that’s home to a huge variety of animals. The Isle of Rum is a paradise for hill walkers and mountaineers alike. If you are here for a few hours or a few days there are walks to suit all abilities, but remember to BE PREPARED. Rum, while wonderful, can have savage weather (so have suitable clothing, footwear and navigation aids); has very rough terrain and in season midges are a considerable nuisance so please ensure thorough preparation and take suitable precautions.

Fishing pots at Guirdil Bothy. Part of Bloodstone Hill over to the right rearing above the bothy. A map of Rum and some info on the MBA and how the bothy came to be made interesting reading. http://www.mountainbothies.org.uk/ Evening on Guirdil beach, great sunset albeit a tad chilly Steve tends the seaweed fire at Guirdil Bothy. And looking pretty stern with all that responsibility too. That hike down to Dibidil was fantastic, blue skies above me, a horseshoe of peaks around me and the sea (and nearby isle of Eigg) in front. There was a river with occasional waterfalls which I followed and over to my right, keeping their wary distance, a herd of about 20 Red Deer. Parking:Only locals with special permits are allowed cars on the Isle of Rum. But start from new pier at Kinloch (NM 411 992) OR from new pier at Kinloch (NM 411 992)Rum National Nature Reserve: The entire reserve is a paradise for nature lovers. It covers most of the island and is home to a vast range of wildlife from rare plants to otters, as well as red deer which are the focus of the world’s longest-running scientific study. The road to Kilmory is around 12 miles return while the road to Harris is around 15 miles return, which potentially puts either destination out of reach of walkers but is certainly possible for those on two wheels.