Hike and Wild Camp on the Isle of Rùm
A truly wild mini-expedition on a remote island in Scotland's stunning Inner Hebrides
What's Included?
Activities & Certified Guides
All itinerary activities with local, certified mountain guidesHostel & Wild camping
3 nights wild camping, 1 night in a bunkhouseMeals
Expedition-style meals throughoutTransfers
Return ferry tickets from Mallaig to KinlochEquipment
Expedition tentsSmall Like-minded Groups
Solo-friendly by design, join our small n’ sociable groups of up to 10 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people…
What's it like?
Traverse the six peaks of the Rùm Cuillin ridge, topping out on Askival (812m) for the ultimate panorama of the Western Isles
Soak up life on Scotland's hidden gem; an island of no roads, forgotten castles and a mere 29 residents
Wild camp in deserted spots alongside rocky shorelines, keeping watch for eagles, otters, seals, dolphins and the ubiquitous red deer
Key Information
Day 1
Hop on the ferry to Rùm and hike to Harris Bay
Hiking
Meet your guide at the port in Mallaig first thing this morning. Hop on the ferry and settle in for the 90-minute crossing, with views of the Western Highlands and the nearby Isles of Skye and Eigg. Arriving at Kinloch on Rùm you'll start the hike straight from the jetty, following an excellent trail cutting through the wild interior with spectacular views of the Rùm Cuillin. End up at Harris Bay, a beautiful spot to wild camp, grab a swim in the sea and explore the nearby mausoleum.
Day 2
Harris to Papadil
Hiking
Tuck into breakfast and coffee overlooking the bay, keeping watch for otters, sea eagles, seals, dolphins and if you're super lucky, orca and basking sharks – both species spend time in the waters around Rùm. Load up the pack for the next hike around the coast, tackling rougher terrain off the trail today with some rocky sections, moorland and bog. You'll definitely see a good number of Rùm's large red deer population around here, and if conditions are good you'll scramble up your first of the island's peaks: Ruinsival. Wild camping tonight is at Papadil, an abandoned settlement on the coast a short walk from Loch Papadil.
Day 3
Papadil to Dibidil
Hiking
Today you’ll continue along an old pony path that steers you through some tricky terrain, it can be slow going as you navigate the rough ground in this wild area. On a clear day, you can see the distant silhouettes of the Outer Hebridean chain of islands; Barra, Uist, Lewis and Harris. Skirt around the edge of Sgùrr nan Gillean as the full arc of the Rùm Cuillin comes into view while you descend towards Dibidil bothy. The camp tonight is in a beautiful spot next to the Dibidil River which flows down from the Cuillin, forming a waterfall into the sea while the Isle of Eigg hovers in the distance. You have your choice of wild swim spots in the river or ocean before some much-needed sleep ahead of tomorrow.
Day 4
The Rùm Cuillin Traverse
Hiking
Today is the big day of the expedition with the aim being a full traverse of the Rùm Cuillin. You’ll take in six peaks with lung-busting climbs, exposed ridges and summit scrambles including to the high point of the island at the top of Askival (812m), rewarding you with 360-degree views back along the Rùm Cuillin, across to the Outer Hebrides and over to the famous Black Cuillin mountains on the Isle of Skye. After high-fives on the top of Askival, embark on a fun frolic to the finish line, scrambling down the boulder-strewn peak, along a ridge, up and over Hallival (722m) and down into Kinloch - the only hamlet on the island and home to 29 people, one of whom will cook you up a sumptuous feast while you sip a well-earned beer overlooking the bay.
Day 5
Wave goodbye to the Isle of Rùm
It's time to say cheerio to your new favourite Scottish island as you head back to the jetty this morning to hop on the ferry back to Mallaig. Stand out on deck for farewell vistas of the Rùm Cuillin which you successfully traversed yesterday. The adventure ends as the ferry pulls into Mallaig at around 14:00.
Day 1
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 2 – Day 3
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 4
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 5
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
What is the food like?
The food on the trip is proper expedition-style, as there are no shops at all until you reach Kinloch on the evening of Day 4. Your host will bring along lightweight but hearty expedition meals to be distributed so that everyone carries their own food. Expect oats and coffee for breakfast, sandwiches and fruit for lunch and a selection of curries, risottos, pasta and couscous from the array of dehydrated dinners. Make sure to bring along a good supply of your own energy and protein bars. After the big Cuillin traverse on Day 4, you'll be cooked a delicious dinner by one of the locals in Kinloch who runs a small restaurant called Kim's Kitchen. Here you can tuck into venison from Rùm itself, almost certainly the most sustainable meat found anywhere, given the lack of food miles and the need to control the deer population to allow trees and shrubs to regenerate on the island.
Most dietary requirements can be accommodated, including vegetarian and vegan diets.
What is the accommodation like?
Wild Camping
You'll be wild camping at spots on Harris Bay, Papadil and next to the Dibidil River. The locations are stunning and make for a big part of the adventure. You'll stay in a solo tent supplied by your host - you'll need to pack your own sleeping bag and lightweight sleeping mat such as a Thermarest. If you'd prefer a twin tent your host can provide one, please request this at the time of booking.
Rùm Bunkhouse
Your final night is spent at the Isle of Rùm community bunkhouse in Kinloch. You'll stay in 4-bed rooms, or twin rooms depending on group size and availability. The bunkhouse is situated on a gravel track right on the waterfront a short walk from the jetty. It has a spacious and comfortable living and dining area with a log burner, plus all-important hot showers after your days in the wilderness.
Upgrades
Due to the very limited space at the bunkhouse and a lack of alternative accommodation on the island, private room upgrades are not possible on this trip. You will automatically have a solo tent for the 3 nights of wild camping.
This trip has been rated as Challenging
A good level of fitness is recommended – you'll be out for up to nine hours in a mountain environment, moving over challenging terrain and ascending considerable heights on Day 4. The scrambling along the Cuillin ranges from Grades 1 to 3, but all sections are more than doable alongside your experienced and highly qualified mountain guides. Some previous hillwalking experience is recommended for you to get the most out of this trip, and we suggest putting in some light training for this adventure by going on some hikes carrying a backpack in your local area in the lead up.
What will I need to carry?
You will be carrying your gear throughout the hike, including a sleeping bag, tent and food. Your load will be lighter on Day 4 for the big push over the Rum Cuillin. Make sure to bring along a sense of adventure and a willingness to go with the flow!
The weather in the Western Isles can easily offer all four seasons in one day so you should be prepared as such. Your guides will be assessing the weather constantly and will adjust the route based on wind and wet weather predictions. Weather is important for the Cuillin traverse with wet rock taking twice as long to cross as dry rock so this will be factored into the plan for the day. It's important to bring good waterproof clothing, dry bags and ideally Goretex hiking boots - see the kit list for more detail.
The Area
Logistics
Starts
Mallaig
09:00 on Day 1
Ends
Mallaig
14:00 on Day 5
Transfers
The start and end point of the trip is in Mallaig. You'll need to make your own way to the Mallaig ferry terminal at 09:00 to leave plenty of time ahead of the ferry departing for Rùm. Your host will meet you at the ferry terminal. There is a Co-op store round the corner to grab any last-minute supplies.
Travel options
Rail travellers are in for a treat. You can take the West Highland Line to Mallaig through one of the most scenic rail routes in the world, passing over the Glenfinnan Viaduct – used in the Harry Potter films for the Hogwarts Express. If you're taking the train to Mallaig, you'll need to arrive the day before the trip starts and spend the night in Mallaig as there are no trains that will get you into Mallaig in time for the ferry.
Mallaig is roughly a 3.5-hour drive from Glasgow, or a 4-hour drive from Edinburgh. You can leave your vehicle in the long-stay car park adjacent to the ferry port for free, on the left as you drive into town. There are three rapid electric vehicle charging points available in Mallaig at the West Bay Car Park, approximately 300m from the ferry terminal.
Mallaig is easily reached by bus from Glasgow with a change in Fort William. Shiel Buses operate a service departing from Fort William, which will officially link up with the ferry departure on Day 1.
Enjoy 12.5% Off Outdoor Gear
In need of a few more items? All bookings receive a 12.5% discount to use at Cotswold Outdoor, Snow + Rock and Runner's Need.
What's included?
- Solo expedition tent
- Sleeping mat
Your host will also carry essential group equipment such as a first aid kit and group shelter.
What do I need to bring?
Pack as light as you can, you'll be carrying everything for the whole trip.
BAGS
- Hiking rucksack (we recommend 45-60 litres) with waterproof liner
- 2 x drybags: one for your tent and one for your sleeping bag
CLOTHES
- Good quality waterproof hiking boots (not shoes)
- Long hiking trousers (not shorts)
- Hiking socks, two or three pairs
- Thermal base layer, merino best
- Fleece top – not cotton
- Synthetic or down jacket, ideally lightweight and packable with stuff sack
- Heavy-duty waterproof jacket and trousers
- Hat
- A pair of good gloves
- Neck buff
- Biodegradable wet-wipes
- Personal first-aid kit (inc. blister treatment)
- Insect repellant - Smidge is good for when the midges are around
- Power bank or solar charger
OTHER
- Sleeping bag, season 3 rated, ideally as lightweight as possible
- Lightweight camping pillow
- Head torch
- Reusable water bottle
- Energy snacks
- Sunglasses
- Sun cream
- Lightweight towel
- Tick remover
OPTIONAL
- Walking poles (if you like to use them)
- Extra dry bags for clothes or valuables
No optional extras are available for this trip.
Our Purpose
To protect our world's wild places, one adventure at a time.
Book With Confidence
Positive impact adventure travel
