We assembled in Mallaig and everyone helped carry provisions onto the ferry.

The skies were grey and the seas choppy as our crossing began to take us away from the hustle and bustle of mainland life.

We called in at Eigg with its impressive Sgurr (hill) and then on to Muck. Then the course was changed as the swell was too great to let us land at Muck - unfortunate for some.

Then we headed up the south coast of Rum to Canna - catching a glimpse of our bothy and Bloodstone Hill. Finally we arrived at Rum.

The landrover from the castle met us on our arrival and took the luggage away whilst we strolled along the shores of Loch Scresort to our accommodation- the servants quarters of the castle.

A clearish day dawned and the eager group set off on the first day up the hill.

We headed up Coire Dubh following the water course and spotting plants that enjoy the wetter climes such as butterwort, sundew and orchid.

A tea break was had at the top of Coire Dubh before we headed off the beaten track to the top of Barkeval passing primrose and moss campion and thrift.

The rocky nature of the terrain on Barkeval reflects the volcanic origins of the range.

We gained the top of Barkeval with ease and surveyed our 360 degree views before eating lunch.

By this time there was a biting wind and we were glad to get moving again.

We headed towards the base of Hallival, passing the bealach then after stopping for a rest we started to descend and agreed to venture unto an unknown track.

This brought us out on the Dibidil path. So ended a satisfying first day with a taste of what Rum has to offer rounded off with a hot meal from the castle staff.

The forecast looked good for the next couple of day and then was threatening to break so we agreed to move the bothy trip forward a day.

We very efficiently sorted out food and other things needed for the trip and were ready to go by mid-morning.

Not long after we were overlooking the route to Kilmory (the centre of the unique Rum longitudinal deer study) and enjoying a lunch break with a bit of shelter from the wind.

We then headed up over to Glen Shellesder keeping an eye open for deer, and enjoyed magnificent views across to Canna and rested in the sun before crossing the river.

The river was renamed after one of the women became more acquainted with it and sacrificed a leki pole to the rocky bed.

Next came our first close sightings of deer and goats.

Finally we arrived at Guirdil bothy where more deer greeted us.

We soon got organised and had a variety of top quality cuisine on the go, expertly cooked by the campers.

Someone's sleeping bag had got wet from a water leak, so we lit a fire from the bothy wood supply to dry it out.

By now the heavens had opened and the wind was howling.

We felt snug tucked up inside the sturdy bothy though we alternated between drip watch and seal watch - a seal was spotted surfing the waves.

A fair day dawned and we were up and ready to go quite promptly.

We crossed the stream to start the walk up to Bloodstone Hill and took a pretty direct route.

Part way up we were ready for a break!

Golden plover took our attention as they pretended to be injured so as to lead us away from their chicks - they took us to the top of Bloodstone Hill.

Great views from the top of Bloodstone Hill - we decided to wander above the cliff tops before headi ng across to the Orval ridge. Lunch was essential before ascending again.

Refreshed we headed up the hill across the boulders to the cairn and fabulous views.

The Rum Cullin Ridge was clear and intimidating to view.

Golden Plover were spotted again and we debated on the rusty coloured bird that flitted about - Stonechat possibly?

We enjoyed a lovely high level walk along the tops before breaking again for a cuppa.

Then we descended to the bealach and a couple of women who had not quite used up their energies tackled Fionochra to complete the horseshoe. The rest took the direct route back to the bothy.

Two women who had opted to enjoy the serenity of the bothy and beach rather than walk had foraged for firewood to replace the bothy supply.

They didn't quite get around to making us scones but the kettle was on for tea.

The sun was warming and a few women dozed whilst others spotted birds and found nesting gulls and oyster catchers nests on the ground.

The evening meal was soon underway and another fire was enjoyed as we resumed seal watch and deer watch.

We had another good meal, though banana custard was turned down in favour of eating bananas on their own!

Time to head back to the castle. We headed up the glen towards the bealach with the mist swirling above us and decided to take a break just below the mist line by a large boulder.

Ground gave way briefly as one woman's leg sank and hit the ground unexpectedly. A bit of a twist but she bravely managed the journey back.

We descended towards the main track still in swirling mist began the final stretch back to the castle after a lunch break in the wilds.

After afternoon tea we tackled the pots and pans from the bothy stay then sorted out food needing eating. The evening meal was well appreciated and chocolate fudge cake was devoured with little hesitation.

The predicted change in the weather was upon us.

Rain and low cloud meant the high tops were an unlikely target for the day so long and low it was to be.

We headed up the north side of Kinloch Glen through the re-afforested area.

Curlew were soon evident and various birds were singing away and the omnipresent cuckoo could be heard.

We followed the track to the river but this one was not for crossing so we headed cross-country to meet the main track through the island.

A break and cover under a bothy tent kept the worst of the elements off us and then we headed towards Kilmory.

This is the centre for the longitudinal deer study and scene of much of the filming for Autumn Watch.

We chatted with one of the researchers from the deer study who alerted us to a recently borne calf.

We didn't catch sight of that but the deer were a plenty. Eagles were also spotted circling in the distance.

By now the weather had improved and we enjoyed some respite from the rain.

We then headed past the graveyard where the last locals fell to diphtheria, then we walked to the beach.

We spent our lunch break admiring Artic Tern with their long flighty feathers.

The terns were agitated by our presence and showed their displeasure by depositing contents on a woman's rucsac!

We then admired small Ringed Plover scurrying across the sands before retracing our steps.

The return route soon passed by and in no time at all we were back at the castle getting ready for the final evening meal.

The sun shone and all glistened from the recent showers.

A mixed day of sunshine and showers greeted us.

Bags packed ready for uplifting we set off on our final walk.

A lovely track along the south side of Loch Scresort past an ancient fish trap and some black houses (old style crofting houses) took us to where a colony of gulls is breeding.

We snacked on the way before heading back to the castle for lunch.

We were back in time for an interesting hour touring the castle for those who chose this option.

Others opted to do some otter spotting.

We returned to where one woman had already spent a good while watching an otter whilst the rest of us had walked on to the 'official' otter spotting area and seen none.

Then the boat appeared to transport us back to the mainland and a different reality.