Rock on at Rockall as radio team make landfall at last

A GROUP of Belgian radio enthusiasts have succeeded in their attempt to land on the remote Scottish island of Rockall.

Stormy weather had prevented the group from getting on to the volcanic rock for much of last week. It is a 250-mile boat journey from Stornoway and is just 100ft wide and 70ft high.

The Rockall 2011 Belgian Expedition crew became so seasick on Thursday that they had to withdraw to St Kilda.

But team members have since managed to clamber ashore and reach the top of the rock. A message on the group’s website said: “We have landed!! Patrick, ON4HIL is the first to land on Rockall!”

The group hopes to broadcast from the island. Ownership of Rockall is being examined by the United Nations because of claims from Ireland, the Faroes and Iceland.

The disputes centre on fishing rights as the waters surrounding Rockall are home to rich shoals of haddock and monkfish.

The island was claimed by the UK on 8 September, 1811, by Royal Navy officer Basil Hall, who led a small landing party from the frigate HMS Endymion to the summit of the outcrop.