From Canada to North Uist: message in a bottle found on beach

A message in a bottle has washed up on a North Uist beach after making a 2,000 mile journey from Newfoundland in Canada.

The faint writing on the message has survived over eight years adrift at sea. Image: Jason Tolmie

Londoner Jason Tolmie was visiting family on the Outer Hebridean island when he found the bottle on Hosta beach in February 2015.

Now the 44 year-old is trying to uncover who originally put the message into the plastic bottle and cast it into the Atlantic Ocean all those years ago.

The message inside read: “This was sent over Monday, July 23, 2001 [or 2007] at Jackson’s Arm, Newfoundland.”

Hosta Beach, North Uist, where Jason found the message in a bottle. Image: Jason Tolmie

Jason posted news of his discovery on the Jackson’s Arm, Newfoundland Facebook page.

He said: “It’s a long shot but I’d be delighted to let the owner of this message know that it was found 2000-odd miles away in the Outer Hebrides.”

“Inside the clear plastic bottle was a piece of white paper and a very faintly written note.

Jason found the message in a plastic bottle. Image: Jason Tolmie

“There’s no other information. It looks like it was written by a child.”

Jason had travelled up to North Uist to visit his partner Helen Stoddart, who was born on the island.

News of his discovery has even made it to a local radio station in Newfoundland, where Jason appeared on air.

It is thought the message may be up to 15 years old.