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2 GLENFINNAN AND RUM

Rum and Eigg across the Sound of Arisaig (Route 16)

Glenfinnan and Rum: Bases and facilities

Base for Routes 9–15: Glenfinnan

Glenfinnan is just a tiny village with two hotels, a bunkhouse, café, but no shop or campsite.

The Princes House Hotel Tel: 01397 722 246 www.glenfinnan.co.uk

Glenfinnan House Hotel Tel: 01397 722 235 www.glenfinnanhouse.com

Glenfinnan Station has been converted into a railway museum. A dining car has been converted into a café and a sleeping car has been converted into a bunkhouse. Open June–mid October, but may open outside this period by advanced request. Tel: 01397 722 295 www.glenfinnanstationmuseum.co.uk

The National Trust for Scotland Visitor Centre which caters for visitors to the Glenfinnan monument has a snack-bar. www.nts.org.uk/Property/Glenfinnan-Monument

Alternative base for Routes 9–15: Fort William

As there are so few facilities at Glenfinnan, many walkers climb these mountains from a base in Fort William, which is the premier tourist resort in the W Highlands and has all facilities for walkers and climbers.

Tourist information: VisitScotland, 15 High Street, Fort William, PH33 6DH Tel: 01397 701 801

Glen Nevis SYHA, Fort William, PH33 6SY Tel: 01397 702 336

Linnhe Lochside Holidays is a large complex on the A830 on the N side of Loch Eil just outside Fort William with chalets, static caravans and a camping and caravan site. Tel: 01397 772 376 www.linnhe-lochside-holidays.co.uk

Local facilities for Route 9: Lochailort Inn and Glenuig Inn

Lochailort Inn is an old droving inn. Tel: 01687 470 208 www.lochailortinn.co.uk

Glenuig Inn on the Sound of Arisaig has both traditional hotel facilities and bunkhouse accommodation. Tel: 01687 470 219 www.glenuig.com

Base for Route 16: Kinloch, Rum

Only the locals are allowed to take cars to Rum and it is not feasible to climb the Corbetts on a day trip so you will need to stay on the island. Assuming you are staying for longer than is needed to climb the Corbetts, it might be worth taking a bicycle for use around the bay and on the dirt road to Harris, which has recently been resurfaced.

Rum has hostel accommodation, a basic campsite, camping cabins and a caravan. There is also a bothy which would be a suitable base for climbing the Corbetts and wild camping is permitted on the island. An excellent website gives full information on the island, including accommodation details: www.isleofrum.com

There are likely to be big changes in the accommodation during the life of this guide with the possible closure of the facilities at the castle, to be replaced by new facilities including a B&B, so check the website to see the latest situation. The facilities tend to get full in high season and booking is advisable.

Kinloch Castle Hostel has dormitory accommodation as well as a few double bedrooms. Breakfast, packed lunches and evening meals are available. Evening meals are also available to non-residents. Tel: 01687 462 037

There is a basic camping area 10min walk from the ferry by the shore of Loch Scresort, with water, toilets and hot showers. There are two ‘camping cabins’ as well as two open shelters on the campsite.

At the head of Loch Scresort there is a small well-stocked store (with post office), a community hall with a teashop and other facilities, including internet access.

Access to Rum

Caledonian MacBrayne runs the ferry service from Mallaig to the ‘Small Isles’: Eigg, Muck, Rum and Canna. Crossing time varies as on some of these sailings you go to or from Rum via other islands. In 2012 the timetable was as follows:

Summer

 Mallaig to Rum: Mon 10.15am, Wed 10.15am, Fri 12.40pm and Sat 7.30pm

 Rum to Mallaig: Mon 3.20pm, Wed 4.05pm, Fri 4.35pm and Sat 7.40pm.

Winter

 Mallaig to Rum: Mon, Tue, Thur and Sat at 10.20am

 Rum to Mallaig: Mon 2.20pm, Tue and Thur 2.25pm and Sat 11.50am.Tel: 0800 066 5000 (UK only) www.calmac.co.ukArisaig Marine Ltd runs ‘Island and Wildlife’ cruises from Arisaig to the Small Isles. Although they primarily organise round trips, they will take passengers on one-way trips if space is available. Operating a much smaller boat, they can be fully booked and are more liable to disruption from the weather. In 2012 they operated sailings from 30 April to 21 September.

 Arisaig to Rum: Tue, Thur and Sat at 11.00am

 Rum to Arisaig: Tue 3.30pm, Thur 3.45pm and Sat 3.30pmTel: 01687 450 224 www.arisaig.co.uk