Travel
Diamond-shaped island is one of the country’s best stargazing spots – with 25 times more deer than people
A DIAMOND-SHAPED island with just 40 residents has been named one of the world’s best stargazing spots.
Earlier this year, the Isle of Rum in the Inner Hebrides, was recognised as having some of the best night skies in the world.
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Located more than 20 miles off the west coast of Scotland, the Isle of Rum was named Scotland’s first International Dark Sky Sanctuary by DarkSky International.
While Scotland already has five international Dark Sky Places, the Isle of Rum is the first Dark Sky Sanctuary in Scotland because it meets stricter night sky quality criteria, such as lower levels of light pollution.
The only other place in the UK to have been declared a Dark Sky Sanctuary is Ynys Enlli in Wales.
When the news was announced in August, Amber Harrison, who is the programme manager of Dark Sky Places, said: “This certification represents the hard work and dedication of advocates, residents, and community officials who recognise the value of Rum’s natural and cultural resources and are dedicated to safeguarding them against human impacts into the future.”
In light of its stargazing status, work has started on several new projects, including plans to install telescopes at Kinloch Castle.
Plans for a camera and weather station have also been proposed as well as a year-round programme of astronomy events.
Designated a National Nature Reserve since 1957, the isle of Rum is well-known for its wildlife and natural landscapes.
One of the island’s biggest draws is its population of red deer, of which there are thought to be 1,000.
This means there are hundreds more red deer on the island than there are human residents.
The red deer herd is famous for its huge stags.
It is also home to one of the world’s largest colonies of Manx Shearwater (a medium-sized bird) and other bird species like white-tailed sea eagles.
With approximately 30 miles of coastline, there are plenty of exotic sandy beaches, rocky shores and secluded coves on the island.
Covered with white sand, Kilmory Beach wouldn’t look out of place on an exotic island in the Caribbean.
Located on the northern tip of the island, Kilmory Beach has been praised by visitors with one person writing: “An absolutely stunning beach that literally takes your breath away”.
Another person added: “A lovely beach with great views”.
There’s also Guirdil Beach, which is a little trickier to reach.
Because of its shoreline, the island is a top holiday destination for kayakers and canoeists.
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Earlier this year, the isle of Rum became part of the Small Isles Snorkel Trail – a self-guided snorkeling route that showcases some of the best spots on the Small Isles.
Another attraction on the island is Kinloch Castle.
The huge Victorian mansion was built as a summer home for textile tycoon, Sir George Bullough.
Kinloch Castle opens for tours during the summer – although these are subject to availability.
There are plenty of overnight accommodation options on the island, including hotels, B&Bs, campsites and bunkhouses.
A direct ferry service operates from Mallaig to Isle of Rum.
Journeys take roughly five hours, with one-way fares from £5.15.
Two other little-known islands to visit in Scotland
HERE are two other little-known islands to visit in Scotland.
The Isle of Erraid, Scotland
The tiny Inner Hebridean Isle of Erraid is a tidal island, just off the tip of the Ross of Mull.
For an hour or two either side of low tide, the Isle of Erraid is linked to the mainland by a broad expanse of sand that you can cross.
But Erraid’s major claim to fame is its inspiration for the famous novel Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson.
Erraid is one of the driest and sunniest places in Scotland, with less than 1,000 millimetres of rain and 1,350 hours of sunshine annually, so you’re virtually guaranteed great days out on the beach.
Unst, Scotland
Unst is roughly 178 miles away from the Scottish mainland.
There are thought to be just 600 people living on the tiny island, making it the most northerly inhabited place in the UK.
Unst has just one pub, one hotel, one school, three shops and a lone bus route.
Skaw Beach, the most northerly in the UK, is packed with golden sand, and it’s backed by a meadow that’s home to an array of wild flowers in the spring and summer.
Because of its shape, the beach is fairly sheltered from the winds.
There are limited facilities at the beach, so holidaymakers should aim to pack everything they need before visiting.
Despite its remote location, around 100 people have reviewed the beach on Google, with one person writing: “Wild and wooly, with nobody around. The water was freezing, as you would expect.”
It’s also a haven for birds including corncrake, lapwing, peregrine, hen harriers and sandpipers and you’ll also see plenty of deer, hedgehogs and Black Face sheep.
A Brit is the leader of a remote island in the middle of the ocean – and claims it’s the smallest country in the world.
Michael Bates became the leader of “Sealand”, a platform 7.5 miles off the Suffolk coast when his dad Roy died in 1991.
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The carrier will fly to 17 destinations from Luton next summer, including Alicante, Girona, Madeira and Verona
Continue reading Jet2 launches London Luton base at Business Traveller.
RYANAIR is launching a new route between Teesside and Malaga, with flights to start operating in March.
Earlier this year, Tees Valley Mayor, Ben Houchen, vowed to bring new Costa del Sol flights to the tiny UK airport.
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Direct services will start operating between Teesside and Malaga on March 31, 2025.
The twice-weekly service will operate every Monday and Thursday until October 23, 2025.
Monday flights will depart Malaga at 5.50am, touching down in the UK at Teesside at 8am.
Return journeys will then leave the UK airport at 8.25am, arriving in Malaga at 12.35pm local time.
Thursday flights will operate slightly later, with services leaving Malaga at 7am and arriving in the UK at 9.10am.
The return service will then depart from Teesside at 9.35am, landing in Malaga at 1.45pm.
Sun Online Travel have found one-way fares from £68.99 per person, with tickets already on sale.
When the new flights were announced, Tees Valley Mayor, Ben Houchen, said: “The people of Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool have been asking for more sunshine destinations, and we’ve delivered exactly that with Ryanair’s fantastic support.
“This is a huge win for our airport and our region, but we’re not stopping here. Our goal is to keep growing, breaking records and getting more holiday flights for local people.”
A statement from the airport reads: “The announcement follows another successful summer for Ryanair at Teesside, where routes to holiday hotspots including Majorca, Faro and Corfu have seen booming demand.”
The news comes after Teesside Airport announced its pre-tax and interest profit in 12 years.
Teesside is mainly served by airlines like Ryanair and TUI with passengers already able to fly to destinations like Dalaman in Turkey, Corfu in Greece and Majorca in Spain.
It is hoped that more flights will be introduced at the regional airport.
Teesside International Airport was named the favourite small UK airport for leisure travel by passengers at the British Travel Awards in 2023.
Last year, Teesside International Airport saw the highest number of passengers pass through its terminal for 11 years.
Meanwhile, Mayor Ben Houchen has promised to pump £20million into renovating the airport’s train station.
Teesside Airport Station closed in May 2022, and it has yet to reopen.
Houchen told the Northern Echo: “As a serious airport we need a working rail link that passengers can use to get to the airport, and with the current state of the train station this is simply not possible.
“We are ahead of schedule on our plan to turn things around, and the next phase of development following the opening of our business park and cargo facility, will see us build a new station at the airport.”
The other small UK airport set for new flights
RYANAIR looks set to launch three brand new flights at a small UK airport, as it already begins to cast its eyes on next summer.
In April, the budget carrier started new routes from Norwich Airport for the first time.
Passengers in Norfolk were able to book flights to Alicante in Spain, Faro in Portugal and Malta, with some routes starting from as little as £17.
Now the airline could be set to launch more new routes from the regional travel hub, according to its managing director.
Richard Pace has said that he is hoping to see at least two or three more flights added to the airport’s route map in time for summer 2025.
In an interview with BBC Radio Norfolk, he spoke of the success of the first few months of flights from Norwich Airport and said he would know more about the future routes from next month.
At the moment, there is no indication of where the new routes will travel to, or when they will begin.
Meanwhile, Jet2 is set to open a brand-new airport base at London Luton Airport next year.
From the London-based airport, Jet2 will fly to 17 destinations, with 36 flights operating every week next summer.
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The Almaty lounge will operate 24 hours a day and can accommodate up to 100 guests at a time
Continue reading Air Astana opens its first-ever business class lounge at Business Traveller.
The offering will rotate to other suites and first class routes on a three-month rotational basis
Dubai-based carrier flydubai has begun flights to a second destination in Nepal, recently launching direct flights to Bhairahawa. The inaugural flight touched down at Bhairahawa Airport, also known as Gautam Buddha International Airport (BWA), on 9 November, 2024
Continue reading flydubai begins flights to Bhairahawa, Nepal at Business Traveller.
Hyatt Hotels Corporation and ALDAU Development have opened the Hyatt Centric Cairo West – the first art-centered lifestyle hotel in Cairo, promising to take guests on an immersive journey through Egyptian history reimagined for modern travellers.
Continue reading Art-inspired Hyatt Centric Cairo West opens to guests at Business Traveller.
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