Rum was for many years a private island with a chequered history involving crofting, sheep grazing and field sports. It is now owned and managed by Scottish Natural Heritage as a National Nature Reserve which the public are welcome to visit. The island is renowned for its archaeological riches,including Scotland’s first know settlement, post-clearance sites, and Victorian buildings. Its natural riches include rare wild flowers, birds, red deer, wild goats, Rum ponies and highland cattle – all of which make it an unforgettable place to visit. The Island is roughly diamond shaped and about 13 Kilometres (8 miles) in length and breadth. An ambitious native woodland restoration scheme is taking place on the north and east sides of the Island. Also on the North side a long-term study of red deer is in progress.