Information and Guidance for Guests
Introduction
The RDMA wishes its Clients to have a safe, enjoyable and successful trip to the Island of Rum. Clients need to be aware of the operating conditions that will be encountered while stalking with us. It is important that Guests judge for themselves that they are capable of managing an outing that can, in extremes, last as long as 8 hours and cover up to 15 Km of rugged terrain.
The Rum terrain is rugged and mountainous and has large areas of boggy ground all to be negotiated in a days stalking. Clients, if they wish to get the maximum benefit from their experience on the island, will need a good level of physical fitness. It is recommended that clients should take on some hill fitness training prior to coming to the island. Clients must make the RDMA aware if they have any health problems including allergies, that may need to be taken into account in planning a days outing. This information should be included in the appropriate section your booking form.
The RDMA team of stalkers and Ghillies is lead by Head Stalker, Derek Thomson, Our Ghillies will be responsible for handling up to two traditional Rum ponies that are the only reliable means of transporting carcasses off the hill. Please note that the RDMA does not offer stalking on Sundays.
Guests are advised to bring two sets of stalking clothing and boots, gaiters and a full set of waterproofs, a knife, small rucksack and personal first aid kit is also recommended.
Guests should be aware that there are no bank or cash point facilities on the island. It is therefore essential that guests bring sufficient money to cover their expenses such as accommodation, food, bar and tips. Safe keeping for cash and valuables is available at the castle accommodation.
Getting to Rum
You booking agent will normally handle travel to Rum but guidance is available by contacting RDMA if you wish to make your own arrangements. Firearms permits for foreign visitors will be arranged by RDMA and the ferry company for your journey from Mallaig to Rum will be informed by us of your time of travel. You must however declare your firearm to the ticket collector on boarding. He will take your rifle to put it into locked storage and return it to you on arrival at Rum.
On arrival on Rum an RDMA representative will meet you and drive you to Kinloch Castle where you can settle into your accommodation. There are two levels of accommodation available to stalkers, basic hostel style multi bedrooms at £15 per guest, or larger private rooms at £50 to £70 per night. The Castle provides a bistro/restaurant, a self-catering kitchen, drying room and washing machines and dryer. There is also a bar and reading room.
After settling in and unpacking you will be taken with your rifle to the shooting range.
Shooting Range
Deer welfare and the safety of it’s Guests, staff and ponies are the RDMA’s highest priority in it’s deer control operation on Rum. RDMA manages a large proportion of Scottish Natural Heritages (SNH’s) annual deer cull which is a crucial part of SNH’s operational plan to preserve the flora and fauna of Rum. Rum is a National Nature Reserve of global importance and SNH is responsible for ensuring that deer numbers are controlled at a level that will not adversely impact on the important habitats of the island.
RDMA has a responsibility to ensure that selected deer are culled as efficiently as possible and all steps must be taken to eliminate the possibility of wounding. Guests are therefore required to demonstrate their safe handling of firearms and shooting accuracy under range conditions.
On arrival at the shooting range the stalker will give you a briefing on the shooting standard expected from guests and will provide guidance on the shot placement required when stalking. This will generally always be a shot to the heart and lung area unless, under exceptional circumstances, instructed otherwise by the stalker. The shooting test is straight forward, requiring the placement of 3 consecutive shots into a 100mm circle at 100 metres, followed by a single shot at a deer profile target to confirm approved shot placement on the deer when stalking. In the event a rifle is found to be out of zero there will be an opportunity to adjust and repeat the test and coaching from RDMA's experienced stalkers will be available. However if the client is ultimately unable to satisfactorily complete the test then he or she will not be allowed to proceed to stalking.
On completion of the shooting test you will be returned to your accommodation, where rifles may be cleaned and then must be placed into the secure storage provided. Rifles must always be stored here when not in use.
Firearms Safety
The stalker will brief you on firearms safety rules and checks that must be adhered to in every circumstance.
Stalkers Daily Briefing
On the evening prior to a stalking outing, guests will be briefed on their allocated areas and advised of the terrain to be encountered and advised on equipment, a start time and a meeting place (normally the Stalkers Bothy). Guests should understand that an outing may have to be cancelled or modified on the day to take account of weather and wind direction or other unforeseen circumstances.
Stalking Techniques
Guests are expected to follow the stalkers lawful instructions at all times throughout the stalk. The more closely instructions are followed the greater the chance of a successful outcome. The stalker will instruct you on the firearms safety protocols to be followed in relation to carrying, loading and making safe your rifle.
Here are a few guidelines;
Unless other wise instructed by the stalker. Keep close and always directly behind, with your head well below the stalkers shoulder level if possible.
Emulate the stalkers behaviour, if the stalker crouches, goes on to hands and knees or flat crawls, you must follow suit. Do not try to look over or around the stalker.
Allow the stalker to direct you into a suitable firing position, move quietly and listen carefully to the instructions given.
Confirm that you have correctly identified the beast selected by the stalker. Ensure you have a clear shot path and a safe back stop. If necessary wait for the deer to present a broad side shot, only when you are sure that you have a steady aim and are certain of striking the heart and lung area should the shot be taken. Reload immediately.
If the deer is wounded, unless instructed otherwise by the stalker, you should take another carefully aimed shot to bring the deer down. The stalker may very well intervene with his/her own rifle to take the second shot. You must not shoot if instructed not to do so.
If hind stalking, the Stalker will take great care to ensure that orphaned calves are not left to fend for them selves. For this reason you will be asked to shoot calves first.
Guest must also be prepared to shoot injured or ill animals on the instructions of the stalker.
The Stalker will carry out the field gralloch and explain the process to you if you wish it and will be pleased to answer any questions you may have about Rum, its deer and any part of the stalking process. At the end of the outing the Stalker and Ghillies will return to the larder where the carcasses are prepared for collection and data recording. The Guest will, meanwhile, be returned to his or her accommodation for gun cleaning and secure storage of the rifle.
Tipping
Tipping is at the discretion of the guest. As a guide it is normal to only tip the stalker on each successful stalk, and a tip of £20 is the average. Ghillies/Pony handlers should however always be tipped and £10 is normal.
Please Note
Rum is a National Nature Reserve and attracts many visitors who come to enjoy the wildlife in many of the wild places on the island. Guests are expected to be sensitive to the needs and expectations of those engaged in other pursuits on the island.