Letter: Rockall of ages

Long before an officer from HMS Endymion landed on Rockall in 1811 (your report, 2 July) the rock would have been visited by Western islanders. In 1703, Martin Martin wrote that Rockall was well known to the St Kildans.

In Gaelic it is Sgeir Rocail, probably derived from Old Norse. Stac an Armin; Stac Lee; Sula Sgeir, Rona and other sea cliffs with no secure or sheltered anchorages were climbed by islanders to harvest birds and eggs.

Rockall, with its abundance of sea birds, would be well known to the islanders who had sailed in the surrounding waters for generations.

The first recorded emigrant voyage in the history of the British Isles was from the Hebrides to Iceland, led by Orlyg the Old.

If they knew the way to Iceland I am sure they would have been familiar with Rockall, virtually on their doorstep.

Donald J MacLeod

Woodcroft Avenue

Bridge of Don, Aberdeen