Rockall record breaker has enough

AN adventurer has sailed back to dry land after living on Britain’s loneliest outpost for 45 days.

Nick Hancock beat the record and set course for civilisation. Picture: HEMEDIA

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.

However, 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.”