What a wonderful, if a little scary at times, experience!
I know it’s over thirty year since I was resident in the UK but HOW did I not know of this island? I’ve googled it, just now... because I needed to know of such a land mass and it’s shearlings, it looks, from Googles satellite eye, as if almost the entire space is rock covered with bracken. I imagine it on the misty night of your census and am envious beyond words... thank you for sharing Miranda, I am one island wiser!
A lot of it IS covered in bracken. Incredibly, it used to be covered in woodland but was deforested in the Neolithic era during the first agricultural revolution. It still has ancient woodland indictor species in abundance (including the bracken). In spring, the island is covered in bluebells - another ancient woodland species.
You can take day trips to the island but if you want to stay overnight you have to book a long way ahead. Or you can spend a week as a volunteer, but I think you still have to book that a way ahead. I haven't been back for probably 20 years. Just writing that makes me sad. It was a pivotal time in my life and an incredibly important place. As it was and (I expect and hope) still is for a lot of other people. It's just that kind of place.
I will go back one day. But I'd like to go with a friend who worked there for many years after our shared time there. We both feel the same way. We want to go but know it'll be hard. A lot of great memories, but a lot of ghosts too.
Thank you, Amy. I had a well-earned reputation for tripping over those tussocks and putting my feet down rabbit holes. Fortunately, I was a lot more flexible and less brittle then.
WOW Miranda...who even are you?! What magical things you’ve experienced and what a talent you have for immersing us in them, even if from the past. Thank you for writing your magic.🪄
What a wonderful, if a little scary at times, experience!
I know it’s over thirty year since I was resident in the UK but HOW did I not know of this island? I’ve googled it, just now... because I needed to know of such a land mass and it’s shearlings, it looks, from Googles satellite eye, as if almost the entire space is rock covered with bracken. I imagine it on the misty night of your census and am envious beyond words... thank you for sharing Miranda, I am one island wiser!
A lot of it IS covered in bracken. Incredibly, it used to be covered in woodland but was deforested in the Neolithic era during the first agricultural revolution. It still has ancient woodland indictor species in abundance (including the bracken). In spring, the island is covered in bluebells - another ancient woodland species.
You can take day trips to the island but if you want to stay overnight you have to book a long way ahead. Or you can spend a week as a volunteer, but I think you still have to book that a way ahead. I haven't been back for probably 20 years. Just writing that makes me sad. It was a pivotal time in my life and an incredibly important place. As it was and (I expect and hope) still is for a lot of other people. It's just that kind of place.
I will go back one day. But I'd like to go with a friend who worked there for many years after our shared time there. We both feel the same way. We want to go but know it'll be hard. A lot of great memories, but a lot of ghosts too.
This was so interesting- what experiences you’ve had! I also love the pull quote describing the scene. Just beautiful.
Thank you, Amy. I had a well-earned reputation for tripping over those tussocks and putting my feet down rabbit holes. Fortunately, I was a lot more flexible and less brittle then.
You took me there. I still feel damp!
Ha! The wonders of Goretex. How did anyone cope before? I can’t imagine hiking a mountain or carrying out a shearwater census in heavy, damp wool.
WOW Miranda...who even are you?! What magical things you’ve experienced and what a talent you have for immersing us in them, even if from the past. Thank you for writing your magic.🪄