The island was stripped of it's people in 1826 to make room for sheep. Almost all (about 400) came to Cape Breton. It eventually was sold to a rich Englishman who built a castle at Kinloch and used the island as a hunting retreat. It was called the forbidden isle because uninvited visitors were not well treated. It later became a game preserve and a nature study area under scotland's National Trust and visitors were still not welcome. In recent years that is changing and the welcome mat is out. I think that some parts of the island are still restricted due to wildlife studies.
The old Gaelic spelling was "Rum" but it was prounounced "Room". I think the Englishman put in the "h" so it wouldn't be called after my favourite beverage. In any case there is loads of history on that island and the real story is of the native people. We still survive in a part of Canada that is known as the most western of the Hebrides.
   Tha mi an dochas gu till mise fhathast!
             Slainte,
                   Sandy