Rockall record breaker has enough
![Nick Hancock beat the record and set course for civilisation. Picture: HEMEDIA](https://www.scotsman.com/webimg/legacy_elm_34945309.jpg?crop=3:2,smart&width=640&quality=65&enable=upscale)
![Nick Hancock beat the record and set course for civilisation. Picture: HEMEDIA](/img/placeholder.png)
Nick Hancock had planned to spend 60 days alone on Rockall, an extinct volcano 260 miles west of the Outer Hebrides.
Last week, he passed the 40-day solo occupation record set in 1985 by the SAS veteran Tom McClean. On Thursday, he beat the 42-day record set by three Greenpeace campaigners in 1997.
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Hide AdHowever, a severe storm in the early hours of 1 July forced the adventurer to end his hoped-for 60-day stay early. High waves battered the rocky outcrop for hours, sweeping two weeks of rations into the sea.
Cruise operator Kilda Cruises arrived around mid morning on Saturday after a 14-hour journey from the Isle of Harris to take Mr Hancock off the rock.
He arrived back at Leverburgh, Harris, yesterday.
Mr Hancock said: “I survived a horrendous storm and I lost several barrels of supplies. It would have been very difficult, if not impossible to continue to 60 days as I originally hoped.”
The 39-year-old Edinburgh-based chartered surveyor had been living in a converted water tank powered by a small wind turbine and solar panels during his Rockall tenancy.
Mr Hancock is raising funds for the armed forces charity Help For Heroes. So far he has topped £8,000.
He is married to Pamela, and they have a two-year-old son, Freddie.
Speaking to his son, Mr Hancock added: “You have grown since I left. You’re speaking so much better and I love you.”
His wife added: “Although I did not try and stop Nick having this adventure, we have really missed him.
“It is wonderful to have him back. Freddie is really excited.”