Isle of Rum joinsdark-sky elite

Peaks in the range known as the Rum Cuillin. (From left) Barkeval, Hallival, Askival and Trollabhal, on the Isle of Rum in Scotland. — Nicholas JR White/©2025 The New York Times

RUM, a diamond-shaped island off the western coast of Scotland, is home to 40 people.

Most of the island – 100 sq km of mountains, peatland and heath – is a national nature reserve, with residents mainly nestled around Kinloch Bay to the east.