 Haswell @-@ Smith ( 2004 ) suggests that Rum is " probably " pre @-@ Celtic , but may be Old Norse <unk> @-@ øy for " wide island " or Gaelic <unk> @-@ <unk> ( pronounced [ <unk> ] ) meaning " isle of the ridge " . Ross ( 2007 ) notes that there is a written record of <unk> from 677 and suggests " spacious island " from the Gaelic <unk> . Mac an Tàilleir ( 2003 ) is unequivocal that Rùm is " a pre @-@ Gaelic name and unclear " . The origins are therefore speculative , but it is known for certain that George Bullough changed the spelling to Rhum to avoid the association with the alcoholic drink rum . However , the " Rhum " spelling is used on a Kilmory gravestone dated 1843 . In 1991 the Nature Conservancy Council of Scotland ( the forerunner to Scottish Natural Heritage ) reverted to the use of Rum without the h . 
