18-05-2025
- General
- The Herald Scotland
Life on Scottish island of just 40 residents is 'built on community'
Fifteen years ago, our village became community owned. And last week, we marked that anniversary together - residents, returning faces, a few curious visitors, gathered to celebrate not just a date on the calendar, but everything the purpose has come to mean.
For the last few days, a bunch of us have been hunched over in the village hall, cutting out 16-point stars with facts about the village and painting mismatched signs to hang around the exhibition we've been planning for months. There's something grounding about setting out chairs and trays of home baking, testing out the hot water urns (and fixing the last minute leaks), and stocking up on fresh milk from the shop. There was a buzz to the planning, and it had all led to Friday's get together.
Read more Elle Duffy
As the newest arrival to the island, it was a learning experience. I got the chance to delve into the island's history and learn how many of my neighbours were instrumental in creating the island that I know and love today. I saw sun-burnt wedding pictures, baby pictures of teenagers that I've given lifts to across the village, and images of families who have long since left the island for new adventures.
People arrived at the hall early, some queuing outside, excited to have a poke around the hall and get to know us a little bit better. They snaked around the carefully laid out displays we had throughout the building, marveling at how we got to where we are today, and what our community has managed to achieve since we took ownership of the village.
But we didn't stop at memory. We also looked ahead. A display showcased upcoming projects: our ambitious plans for a new community hub near the old pier were talked about with excitement, and suggestions for possibilities for the island were written on the wall in their dozens. The island's kids drew their own visions - their favourite parts of living here, and pictures of friendship from across the years.
Music followed, of course. It wouldn't be an island event without it. A ceilidh band who have frequented the island for events in the past - and don't yet have a name - struck their chords into the wee hours. Islanders created a potluck style buffet, as a way of thanks for those who had taken the time to join us in celebration. Strip The Willow ended with some stomped-on feet and peels of laughter, and the Canadian Barn Dance perhaps started a few too many drinks in. Everyone got a round correct at least once - but never at the same time.
The hall became cosy very quickly, not least because the doors were promptly shut because of the midges, who were determined to join in the festivities. Halfway through the night, I ran to a neighbouring house with some friends to grab some fans to keep the heat at bay - but we barely minded.
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Of course, my entire existence on this island comes down to the community. Rum Bunkhouse was one of the first - and definitely one of the largest - projects undertaken by the new community of owners, and the impressive 20-bed hostel was opened in 2014. Since then, it has welcomed thousands of people in its doors and held stories of adventures and friendship, and I'm lucky to be a tiny part of its journey.
If you visit Rum, you'll likely meet nearly all of the island's 40 residents - the kids might be playing in the school playground when you get off the boat, I may be on the campsite chatting to some folk who have just pitched up, and a fair few of us will likely be at the village shop for a cuppa and a catch up. This is an island that truly thrives on community, and its future relies on it.
There is still work to do—there always will be. Funding bids don't always succeed. Not every idea lands the way we hope. But we are still here, still building. And that, I think, is worth celebrating.
Fifteen years ago, this village said yes to the long haul. And on Friday night, with the warmth of our community wrapped around us, we said it again.
Elle Duffy lives on the isle of Rum
