Letter: Polar adventurer

THOMAS MacLeod, a seaman from the Isle of Lewis, remarkably survived three Antarctic expeditions: 1910 with Robert Falcon Scott and with Ernest Shackleton in 1914 and 1920 (your feature, 26 December).

At the age of 14 MacLeod sailed from Stornaway as a merchant seaman. Being a Presbyterian, he salvaged the Bible that was thrown away by Shackleton.

Today that Bible is with the Royal Geographical Society in London. MacLeod sailed the seven seas for many years after his final trip to the Antarctic.

He eventually settled in Canada, where he died in 1960 at the age of 91.

Prior to his death he was asked if he wanted his Polar medals to be sent to Scotland and he replied: “No, Scotland did little for me.”

MacLeod is a forgotten Hebridean seaman who in his own way played a significant part in the exploration of Antarctica.

Donald J MacLeod

Woodcroft Avenue

Bridge of Don, Aberdeen