walkhighlands

Rum With Betty

Date walked: 04/06/2022

Time taken: 3 hours

Distance: 11km

Ascent: 300m

It was a long time since I had been on Rum. Twenty years at least. It just feels a bit different to anywhere else. Right at the start, as is the norm these days, you go online to book your ferry ticket. All the Calmac website does though is tell you to phone the office in Mallaig and speak to a person. Old time!

Anyway. Arrived in Mallaig on Saturday. Saturday has the bonus of an extra afternoon ferry during the summer at 2pm allowing a comfortable 8:30am departure from home rather than the 6am start needed to catch the morning ferries during the week.

When I decided to do this trip I couldn't find much up to date on parking in Mallaig which is the main reason I'm posting this report. As it was a holiday weekend the place was busy. The long term carpark on the left as you arrive was full. I went round to the east bay. It was almost full as well but I got one of the last spaces. The signage here indicates free parking for cars for up to 7 days.

parking.jpg


The ferry was a small passenger only vessel. There were only 14 passengers aboard. During the crossing one of the crew came back and asked if we would mind a short diversion to see some dolphins. We agreed and it diverted a few hundred yards and got almost in touching distance of a dozen dolphins arcing in and out the water.

Once landed on Rum to I headed across the island to Guirdal Bothy. My companion was Betty the poodle. Now aged 9 her big hill days are behind her as she suffers from sore hips if she over does it. So 2 or 3 hours maximum walks.

The route is straightforward. There are two options. Low level via Glen Shellesder or over a 1000ft Bealach A Braigh Bhig. As my rucsac included beer and coal and canned dog food I went low level. There is a decent path all the way faint in places.

On arrival at the bothy Betty scattered a herd of 8 stags grazing just uphill from the bothy. She soon came to an understanding with them though. If they stayed 50m away from the bothy she wouldn't chase them.

bettydeer2.jpg


poodlebothy.jpg


Guirdal is in a stunning location looking out to Canna and Skye with the Outer Hebrides on the far horizon. As well as the deer there is a herd of goats which wander up and down the shore.

goats.jpg


The great thing about Scotland is that you can be in your house near Glasgow at 0830 then at 1030pm the same day be sitting outside a bothy with a beer in hand watching the sunset over the Western Isles.

sunset.jpg


After two nights in the bothy I walked out over the bealach. Of the two options it is the best in good weather if you don't have a heavy pack. Slightly drier underfoot and far better views than from Glen Shelleder.

PS - The West Bay Car Park on the left as you arrive is listed online as a pay carpark.

https://myringgo.co.uk/uk/parkinglocator/23485

However two walkers I met on Rum had parked there and report that the pay machine is voluntary and that the 24 max stay does not apply. According to them a traffic warden told them that as there is no requirement to leave a new 24 period starts when the old one expires. Who knows? In any case the East Bay car park is only a few minutes walk away and is clearly signed as free for 7 days.

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Comments: 1


BigTed


Activity: Mountain Walker
Ideal day out: A mountain walk without the police waiting in the car park when I get back.




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Statistics

2022

Trips: 1
Distance: 11 km
Ascent: 300m


Joined: Aug 18, 2017
Last visited: Feb 27, 2024
Total posts: 182 | Search posts