Island Collecting
My book is:
Island Collecting - 111 Ways to Downcarbon
(Kindle (2019)) SUMMARY OF BOOK
‘I do not recommend collecting islands—an island plucked from its place would be a mere lump of rock, perhaps with some very annoyed inhabitants on it.’
Flying to paradise islands is now very uncool. Let’s support green transport whenever reasonable; and let’s enjoy only islands near home (while carbon-offsetting our travel) or even from home, without travel. George decided to invent the verb ‘to downcarbon’ to cover both. Islands in the sea are loved by many of us—from naturalists to historians, ‘baggers’ to eco-campaigners, travellers to trippers, Google Earth buffs to quiz fans, writers to anecdote lovers. Alongside many striking images George shares hundreds of gripping ‘Truths’ about islands worldwide, dozens of light ‘Tales’ of his own travels, a few ‘Tips’, and snippets about island people, history, wildlife, books, culture, love and tragedy. And he lists 100 ways to reach islands—islands that can in principle be anywhere—in what he calls ‘Visit’ collecting—and 25 great home island ‘Projects’. But fourteen of his ‘Visits’ require flying. So he reviles most of these, and recommends just 111 ideas.
You need not be privileged, super-athletic or a rich travel writer to be a Visit collector: most of George’s challenges can be met by those with limited funds, holiday or family time, on transport anyone can use. And his list is not for island purists; any sort of island counts—and the nearer home the better. In how many ways can you visit an island by ferry? Have you ever reached a nearby island by bike, or bus, or at low tide, or over a footbridge—or even in a sea tractor or cable car? Did you stay on it, and how? Was it uninhabited? Or try a Project? Collect or create island things or facts—this book became one such Project for George. Do you know where Captain Kidd’s real treasure was found? Or that Jonathan Swift’s ‘Lilliput’ would—delightfully—lie close to King Kong’s island, if both were real? Cook an island recipe, create island-based art, write a poem—or a book! Invent an island of your own—although: ‘a few invented islands are so daft that, frankly, they would have been better submerged at birth.’ Or support an island charity, or help real islanders! For fun, George counts his Visits in Terns and his Projects in Puffins. Only hard work will achieve George’s high targets. Nevertheless, Sir Ernest Shackleton undertook more than one epic 100 Tern journey. And Felix Mendelssohn brilliantly rates 23 Puffins for composing his Fingal’s Cave Hebrides Overture. Also, do you know what the best word is, for an island lover?
PS - For my island maps, see the page entitled My Maps.
The Lord reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of the isles be glad thereof. [Psalm 97 v 1, KJV]
My personal island list
My wife Christine and I love to visit islands! My present list of the islands around Britain or elsewhere that I have been privileged to visit (and, more importantly, on which I have met very many wonderful and interesting people) is shown below:
British islands on which I have stayed at least one night:
Barra; South Uist; Benbecula; North Uist; Lewis; Arran; Islay; Mull; Iona; Canna; Skye; Handa; Orkney Mainland; Hoy; Westray; Sanday of Orkney; Shetland Mainland; Yell; Unst; Fetlar; Isle of Wight; Alderney; Sark; Guernsey; St Mary's (Scilly); Anglesey (via bridge); Holy Island (via causeway); Isle of Man.
Other British islands on which I have set foot:
Mingulay; Vatersay; Kisimul Castle; Eriskay; Creagorry Island (South Ford); Eileanan Glasa (North Ford); Eilean nan Clach Corr (North Ford); Eilean na h-Airigh (North Ford); Grimsay; Eilean a' Ghiorr; Gairbh-Eilean (both North Ford); Berneray; Harris; Ailsa Craig; Great Cumbrae; Bute; Luing; Easdale; Seil (via the famous bridge); Eilean Mór (Lochbuie, Mull; tidal); Lismore; Jura; Coll; Staffa; Lunga/Treshnish; Eigg; Rum; Sanday of Canna; Dùn Channa (Canna); Eilean Ban (Kyle of Lochalsh); Carna (of Loch Sunart); Eday; Bressay; Noss; Lindisfarne (tidal); Inner Farne; Staple Island; Spurn (tidal); Scolt Head Island (by boat); Havergate Island; Brownsea Island; Isle of Portland; Jersey; Herm; Burhou; Raz Island; St Michael's Mount (tidal); St Martins; Tresco; Bryher; St Agnes; Gugh; Lundy; Caldey; Worms Head (tidal); Burry Holms (tidal); Skomer; Bardsey; Llanddwyn Island; Salt Island (Holyhead); Little Eye; Middle Eye; Hilbre; Roa Island (via causeway); Foulney (tidal); Walney (via bridge); Sheep Island (tidal); Piel Island (tidal).
Other British islands that I have travelled to by sea without landing:
Muck; Papa Westray; Stronsay; Flotta; Les Etacs (Alderney); Grassholm.
Other British islands that I have only yet seen from a distance and would love to visit:
Tiree; St Kilda ( - for which we were stopped by some 7-10 metre waves!); the Monachs (- for which I once had the chance and turned it down!); Papa Westray & North Ronaldsay; Fair Isle; Foula; Muckle Flugga; Bass Rock; Coquet; Skokholm; Rathlin.
Western European islands outside the UK on which I have stayed:
Denmark: Fyn; Langeland; Mon; North Jutlandic Island (Norrejyske); Sjaelland. Ireland: Inisheer (Inis Oirr). Spain: Mallorca.
Western European islands outside the UK on which I have set foot:
Denmark: Amager; Falster; Langeland; Lolland; Mors; Tasinge. France: Mont St Michel; Quiberon. Ireland: Abbey Island (Ring of Kerry); Dursey; Great Blasket; Rossbeigh spit; Rossmore; Valentia; Italy: Venice North, Venice South. Netherlands: Goeree-Overflakkee; Noord-Beveland; Schouwen-Duiveland; Texel.
Other Western European islands that I have travelled to by sea without landing:
Skellig Michael & Little Skellig.
Other Western European islands that I have only yet seen from a distance and would love to visit:
Rockabill.
Islands outside Europe on which I have set foot:
South Africa: Robben Island. Turkey: Gemile.