The Light Touch
•News
Touch the Light.....
John MacPherson
Landscape and Environmental Photography from Scotland
Photographer colleague Laurie Campbell and I have been commssioned by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) to record the seasonal changes, management activities, visitor use, natural history and wildlife of the Isle of Rum National Nature Reserve. The project involves visiting the island several times throughout 2004, to coincide with the changing seasons and phases of natural history activity, such as the bird nesting season in late spring. Laurie will concentrate on such species as golden eagles, various divers, and other elusive species, but also landscape and management issues. I will attempt to capture evocative landscapes and the recreational use of the island by the variety of visitors who come over throughout the year.
Rum lies within the Lochaber district and is one of The Small Isles, which includes Eigg, Muck and Canna. Access is by ferry from Mallaig with CalMac, or from Arisaig with Arisaig Marine. The islands most notable feature is its rocky spine of jagged mountains, The Rum Cuillin, which give it a distinct and romantic profile. The island was owned by the Bullough family, millionaire industrialists from the north of England, during the late 19th century. George Bullough commissioned the building of a most astonishing castle at Kinloch. It boasted electric lighting from its own hydro-electric scheme, steam heating throughout, including the dog kennels, but not the servants quarters! The conservatory was so warm they were able to keep hummingbirds, and grow tropical plants. Kinloch Castle is today a slightly faded reminder of grander times, stuffed with antiques it still retains much of its grandeur, although the passage of time has taken its toll on the fabric of the building. The rooms are much as they were left when the Bulloughs departed. It is an astonishing time capsule, and induces gasps from all who make the effort to visit.
The island itself is no less grand, and boasts red deer, wild goats, numerous eagles and other bird species, as well as otters, and in the surrounding seas whales and dolphin can often be seen.
•Rum
View SNH photographs here
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