The Rum Summit, convened by Minister for Environment - Michael Russell - on Monday December 3 2007, brought the island's community and the key Government agencies together to discuss the economic, social and environmental potential of the island with the principal objective of developing a joint approach to realising the full benefit of the Isle's resources.
The meeting drew on the experience of community representatives from Rum and Eigg, senior staff from Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Highland Council, Historic Scotland, the Prince's Regeneration Trust and the Scottish Government.
The event was facilitated by Lesley Riddoch. The summit considered the full range of issues impacting on the future of the isle and its community. Research was commissioned from Newcastle University's Centre for Rural Economy to inform the debate, which included the examination of a shift towards community control.
The objectives for the initiative, as endorsed by the summit, are:
» Effective management of the National Nature Reserve;
» Developing a dynamic community which is not solely dependent on SNH;
» Securing a sustainable future for Kinloch Castle.