Isle of Rum Adventure
DATE 02.07.2012 | DISTANCE 20KM | HIGHEST POINT 250M
Posted by Matt | Filed under other locations
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DAY 4 STARTED OFF ABOUT 7.30AM. WE WERE KEEN TO SEE HARRIS BAY AND THE SOUTH WEST COAST BUT DIDN'T HAVE A LOT OF TIME AS OUR FERRY WOULD BE LEAVING JUST AFTER 3PM.
STEVE HAD DECIDED TO LEAVE A LITTLE EARLIER AND MADE HIS WAY UP TO THE PEAKS THAT WE DID YESTERDAY.
WE FOLLOWED THE PONY TRACK AROUND THE BOTTOM OF THE ISLAND TOWARDS PAPADIL LODGE. this is where the paths stopped. the ruins of an old hunting lodge were pretty difficult to reach due to the dense woodland around it. worried about the time constraints, we pushed on and edged our way around loch papadil. this was a nightmare! the waist high grass and reeds was hiding the channels of water entering the loch. we stumbled across but eventually decided to take off our boots and wade across the loch. it was a quick option but the local insect population came out to pester us and i was attacked by massive blue bottles.
once out of loch papadil lodge we traversed the cliffs at an elevation of around 200 metres. this was also very hard work. the ground was at a steep angle which was on my bad ankle side. it was covered in hidden channels of water below the waist high tussocky grass. very tiring stuff! occasionally we were helped with the odd deer track to follow.
finally we swung around the base of ruinsival and saw harris bay in the distance. we were now welcomed with a well warn path to follow down to the bay. the main feature of the bay is the mausoleum of sir George bullough, his wife and son. a bit strange having this grecian style structure in the scottish wilds but kind of makes it more striking with the backdrop of the sea.
Finally we followed the road steeply out of harris bay and back to kinloch feeling pretty tired.
the isle of rum is a fantastic location full of great hikes in very wild surroundings, great for nature spotters and with a very friendly community. i will definitely go back again one day
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