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Steps under way to boost Rum’s population after application lodged for homes

Rum has a population of just 22 with its primary school serving three just pupils, all in P6 or 7.
Rum has a population of just 22 with its primary school serving three just pupils, all in P6 or 7.

One of the Small Isles is taking steps to boost its population following drives by Muck, Ulva, Canna and Stronsay over the past few years.

The Isle of Rum Community Trust (IRCT) is paving the way for new residents by lodging a planning application to build eight houses.

IRCT will own the homes, which will be managed by Lochaber Housing Association.

The development consists of two blocks of four larch-clad, two bed houses with aluminium roofs and solar panels.

They are set not far from the iconic Kinloch Castle, and close to two blocks being built by Mowi to house their workers.

IRCT development officer Steve Robertson said there is no capacity for newcomers until the homes are built, so they are not building up a list of applicants at present.

He said: “If all goes well and planning is granted we hope to start building in June, with the houses complete early next year.


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“We’ll don’t want to raise false expectations at this stage.

“Around the end of May our builder will start, so sometime in July or August this year we’ll be confident to say we will have houses for next year and then start the allocation process.

“It will give people time to start planning their lives around living in Rum.”

Rum currently has a population of 22.

Its primary school has three pupils, all in P6 or 7, and one child in nursery.

Mr Robertson said; “There’s one baby on its way so we desperately need more young kids to keep that asset functioning and to grow and diversify the community.

“Marine Harvest (Mowi) have got their farm going and built a big shore base. Quite a few of their workers have young families, so they might be candidates for our housing, but let’s take it one step at a time.”

The homes are being funded by the Scottish Government’s Rural Housing Fund and Islands Housing Fund, IRCT and Mowi, who have already contributed ground works to the new development.

The land and assets in and around Kinloch village were transferred from Scottish Natural Heritage to IRCT in 2009/10.