Shiant Isles Guest Book

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Adam Nicolson

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Name:	Carolyn McNamara
E-Mail:	cwebster63_AT_gmail_DoT_com
Town:	Saint Georges
Country:	United States of America
Date:	Tue Jan 31 22:04:03 2012
How you found us:	I got the URL from the Book 'Sea Room'
Wrote... A few days ago I found "Sea Room" in the private donation sale room of my little public library in Delaware City, Delaware, USA. Via this site is the only way I can thank the person who donated this book to this very grateful recipient. After many trips to Scotland and the northern and western isles, I find I am in remiss for having no previous knowledge of the wild and beautiful Schiant Isles. My heart yearns for the sights, the sounds, the smells of my bonnie Scotland once again and Adam Nicholson has brought these to me through his very sensitive and descriptive work. Thank you Adam Nicholson, from the bottom of my heart.

Name:	Tim Lodge
E-Mail:	webmaster_AT_shiantisles_DoT_net
Town:	Maidenhead
Country:	UK
Date:	Tue Jan 24 12:43:01 2012
How you found us:	Other
Wrote... Apologies to anyone who has tried unsuccessfully to post a message to the guest book since Christmas. It's all working again now.

Name:	Philip Taylor
E-Mail:	phil2taylor_AT_virginmedia_DoT_com
Town:	Mansfield
Country:	England
Date:	Thu Dec 15 18:49:13 2011
How you found us:	I got the URL from the Book 'Sea Room'
Wrote... just read your book,Searoom.Well worth the 50p from a charity shop.At the end of the book you phoned your son and got the reply " I've gotta go. I've got history" Did you pass on your love of the islands to him? Best Wishes Phil

Name:	Roy Fallon
E-Mail:	royfallon1_AT_btinternet_DoT_com
Town:	Manchester
Country:	England
Date:	Sat Dec 3 21:49:21 2011
How you found us:	Search Engine
Wrote... OOOPS!!! I should have written June 2006...not June 2012 of course...that was me just wishful thinking I suppose...:) :) :)

Name:	Roy Fallon
E-Mail:	royfallon1_AT_btinternet_DoT_com
Town:	Manchester
Country:	England
Date:	Sat Dec 3 21:47:29 2011
How you found us:	Search Engine
Wrote... I stayed on the Shiants for a week back in June 2012. It was an incredible experience and one that I dearly yearn to repeat. It was blowing, what seemed like, 100mph winds throughout some nights...the carbon fibre rods in my tent were bending so much that they were whacking me in the face as I lied there on my groundsheet. When I stripped my tent, at the end of the week, the rods were shattered, with long fractures and spilts along them. The midges there are absolutely savage, they were eating away at me within minutes of landing on the island and when I bathed myself in a hefty layer of repellent, they just seemed to actually be more attracted to me. The weather through any given day was a mixed bag of bright warm sunshine,high winds or heavy rain. The rats were quite good company when I was sat in the house in the evenings actually. Their little yellow eyes and their lack of fear were really amusing. Toiletting in the tidal zone can be an odd experience...not without some humour though...burning the loo roll after it has been used takes some skill as well.. :) Please dont see any of the above comments as any kind of negative or complaint..I absolutely loved - almost - every minute of my stay..the midges were the flies in the ointment (pardon the pun). The puffins were incredible, the Great Skuas, Cormorants were also fabulous. I filmed a whale travelling by the island on my last evening there...(absolute wow, wow, wow factor) There was a poor, unfortumate baby dolphin that had been washed ashore in the days preceding my visit..very sad and unfitting end for such a creature. A grey seal kept visiting the tidal area but never actually came ashore..just kept an eye on me as it bobbed around the surface of the water. I spent almost a whole, warm and sunny, afternoon filming and watching hundreds of gannets diving from the skies into the sea, just off shore. They seemed to actually split into pairs and dive side by side into the water. Unfortunately there were 2 that had hit the rocks as they dove and their dead bodies were to and fro in the tidal zone for the next few days..another one of Mother Nature's sadder moments. I took great exception to the fact that 1 of the "conservationists" in the group I was with, caught a large fish and killed it (he did eat it). My perception of wildlife tours is to leave nothing but footprints and take nothing but photographs, videos and great memories. There were a few less than pleasant words spoken over that episode and I kept myself very much to myself after it occurred. I would love to go there again..and I intend to do so as soon as possible. If you get the chance to go, you should take it. It was one of the best wildlife photography tours I have ever done and I have filmed tigers in India, gorillas in The Cameroon and many more "adventures". All the best.

Name:	Matthew John Ritchie
E-Mail:	matthewjohnritchie_AT_gmail_DoT_com
Town:	Farnborough
Country:	England
Date:	Mon Oct 31 21:32:30 2011
How you found us:	I got the URL from the Book 'Sea Room'
Wrote... I received your book as a gift resulting from my lone wonderings in the Western Isles and Scotland. I thought it was brilliant and hope to plan next years holiday around a visit. My fascination began with Castaway 2000 BBC and seem to be drawn that direction now I can afford the travel after Uni. Bliss the freedom of debt free living. I did see one Puffin in flight while on the ferry but at a distance, eyes glued open for Dolfin though none to be seen. Matthew

Name:	Matthew John Ritchie
E-Mail:	matthewjohnritchie_AT_gmail_DoT_com
Town:	Farnborough
Country:	England
Date:	Mon Oct 31 21:32:02 2011
How you found us:	I got the URL from the Book 'Sea Room'
Wrote... I received your book as a gift resulting from my lone wonderings in the Western Isles and Scotland. I thought it was brilliant and hope to plan next years holiday around a visit. My fascination began with Castaway 2000 BBC and seem to be drawn that direction now I can afford the travel after Uni. Bliss the freedom of debt free living. I did see one Puffin in flight while on the ferry but at a distance, eyes glued open for Dolfin though none to be seen. Matthew

Name:	Mark Hibbert-Hingston
E-Mail:	markhibberthingston_AT_gmail_DoT_com
Town:	Winchester
Country:	England
Date:	Fri Sep 30 09:00:13 2011
How you found us:	I got the URL from the Book 'Sea Room'
Wrote... Was in touch some years back when at least two of our children hoped to visit, me too! Only lack of funds still precludes a stay - one of my dreams. Finally read Sea Room, going slow towards the end as I coulcn't bear to think I would finish it. Magical, heart-rending and wonderful!

Name:	Jo Mullenger
E-Mail:
Town:	Dunedin
Country:	New Zealand
Date:	Sat Sep 3 10:23:53 2011
How you found us:	Search Engine
Wrote... Just finished reading the book and loved it. My great great grandfather was a Mackenzie from Lewis and spent his last years in NZ. My grandmother remembered him speaking Gaelic at home. Thank you for bringing a part of that world to life.

Name:	John Van der Vord
E-Mail:	Johnvord_AT_talktalk_DoT_net
Town:	Wallingford
Country:	UK
Date:	Fri Aug 26 22:41:36 2011
How you found us:	Search Engine
Wrote... Busy reading the book. Enjoying it.

Name:	Linda Paffel
E-Mail:	lkp_AT_gmail_DoT_com
Town:	Seattle
Country:	USA
Date:	Wed Aug 24 19:52:55 2011
How you found us:	Word of mouth
Wrote... I was told about this site by PJ Foster, a friend. I am fascinated and will be back.

Name:	anne obloy
E-Mail:	anne_DoT_obloy_AT_yahoo_DoT_com
Town:	bridgehampton, ny
Country:	USA
Date:	Sun Aug 21 21:55:22 2011
How you found us:	A link from another site
Wrote... I loved the Sea Room book. I am interested in visiting the Shiant Island as well as the other Hebrides Islands. What is the nicest hotel on the Hebrides or the closest 5-star hotel to the Hebrides?

Name:	John O'Dwyer
E-Mail:	Jodwyer_AT_Nalco,com
Town:	Naas
Country:	Ireland
Date:	Wed Aug 3 23:51:10 2011
How you found us:	I got the URL from the Book 'Sea Room'
Wrote... Visit definitely On my bucket list

Name:	Ann Spaeth
E-Mail:	khspaeth_AT_comcast_DoT_net
Town:	Conshohocken,PA
Country:	USA
Date:	Mon Jul 25 22:39:26 2011
How you found us:	Search Engine
Wrote... My husband and I with 8 women passengers on a Minch Charter boat, spent a night in the cozy harbor and a day on the Shiant Islands May27&28,1997. It was magical! I have wanted to go back sooo much. This webb site is superb and now I must find a way to return. I read Adam Nicholson's book in 2001 and was facinated by all the geological and anthrpological findings, which were not something we were aware of in1997.

Name:	suzy allen
E-Mail:	suzy_DoT_allen_AT_ntlworld_DoT_com
Town:	Newcastle under Lyme, Staffordshire
Country:	England
Date:	Fri Jul 22 21:26:18 2011
How you found us:	I got the URL from the Book 'Sea Room'
Wrote... I got your book in the charity shop, as I love reading about islands. I am currently studying archaeology and geology with the OU and this book has bought them to life. your book is one of those that will be on the shelf and regularly picked up and re-read. thank you for taking the time and sharing your experiences with us.

Name:	Raye Keyser
E-Mail:	baroque_DoT_chemistry_AT_gmail_DoT_com
Town:	St. Andrews
Country:	Scotland
Date:	Thu Jul 21 02:47:50 2011
How you found us:	I got the URL from the Book 'Sea Room'
Wrote... Found Sea Room in a cobwebby corner of the local library. Beautifully written, and fascinating both geologically and natural history-wise (speaking as a geology student). Your descriptions of crossing the Minch--and of the archaeological sites--are still in my brain months after reading them. Sailing through the Hebrides after graduation and the Shiants are definitely on my itinerary. :) Cheers, Raye

Name:	Rachel Findlay Holmes
E-Mail:	rachelsmholmes_AT_gmail_DoT_com
Town:	Edinburgh
Country:	Scotland of Course
Date:	Fri Jul 15 16:10:39 2011
How you found us:	I got the URL from the Book 'Sea Room'
Wrote... Dear Adam I am no sailor. Please tell me how I might visit the shiant isles one day.....? Many thanks Rachel

Name:	Graeme Forbes
E-Mail:	graemeforbes_AT_yahoo_DoT_co_DoT_uk
Town:	Badachro
Country:	Scotland
Date:	Thu Jul 14 23:09:37 2011
How you found us:	Other
Wrote... Crossed to the Shiants for our third visit on 1st July. 50 minutes run time from Badachro in "Blue Zulu". Hundreds of dolphins and a couple of Minke whales en route. Bird life was fantastic including a sea eagle and arctic skua. Several sailing yachts but most impressive were the teams of ornathologists catching and we presume ringing birds. Very hard work on the rock strewn ground. Hiope to be back again this summer.

Name:	Mark Stokes
E-Mail:	mark_at_sleepybubble_dot_com
Town:	Kershader, Isle of Lewis
Country:	Scotland
Date:	Mon Jul 11 11:23:13 2011
How you found us:	I got the URL from the Book 'Sea Room'
Wrote... Just returned from my third trip to the islands this year. All three time visited by sea kayak from Lemreway. Sung to sleep by the seals on Eilean Mhuire, with the constant whirring of Puffin and razorbill wings for accompaignment. A truly magical place. Really starting to get to know the features of the place a bit better now, both from the sea and the land. Loved your book too, I think I'm due a re-read to understand better the shelters on the North end of Garbh Eilean.

Name:	Dominiek Dendooven
E-Mail:	dominiek_DoT_dendooven_AT_telenet_DoT_be
Town:	Ypres
Country:	Belgium
Date:	Sun Jun 26 15:56:31 2011
How you found us:	Search Engine
Wrote... I am actually reading your book (in the Dutch translation). I accidentally bumped into it and when browsing was struck finding so many recurring interests: small islands, Compton Mackenzie (as having visited his other island Herm before) and the fact you are the son of Nigel Nicolson with whom I have exchanged some letters in 2001-2002. Lovely book.

Name:	Lawrence Renyer
E-Mail:	lazeplace_AT_gmail_DoT_com
Town:	Blanco
Country:	Tx. U.S.A
Date:	Mon Jun 13 15:28:06 2011
How you found us:	Search Engine
Wrote... I am currently reading your wonderful book. Your prose and love for the Shiants has me reading and rereading passages as well as reading passages outloud to my wife and friends. This is aa much a classic as Walden and all of the other great books on our place in nature, and I must say much needed in this age. The rest of your work is now on my reading list. Thank you so much. Peace, Lawrence Renyer

Name:	Ray Godwin
E-Mail:	ray_AT_godi_DoT_co_DoT_uk
Town:	Rossendale
Country:	UK
Date:	Fri Jun 10 17:00:30 2011
How you found us:	Search Engine
Wrote... Absolutely loved the book. Would love to know if you ever found pictures of the residents. Is there enough material for a follow up from the information you have subsequently found out about the islands? I notice on todays news a leatherback turtle has been spotted in the Minch. All the best.

Name:	Sandy Dickinson
E-Mail:	sandy_DoT_dickinson_AT_ntlworld_DoT_com
Town:	Lichfield, Staffordshire
Country:	England
Date:	Sun May 29 18:11:12 2011
How you found us:	Search Engine
Wrote... Just returned from a holiday beside Loch Assynt, with Sea Room as my holiday reading. Wonderful. I am pretty terrified of the sea and your descriptions of crossing the Minch in your boat were so vivid, the stuff of nightmares. But I was fascinated by the Shiants and what you've found out about their history. Thank you so much.

Name:	Charlie Barraclough
E-Mail:
Town:	Merton, London
Country:	UK
Date:	Mon May 23 22:30:44 2011
How you found us:	Other
Wrote... I got here from a Google search for Shiant

Name:	Jean and Lindsay Wilson
E-Mail:	jean_DoT_wilson1_AT_gmail_DoT_com
Town:	Stirling
Country:	Scotland, UK
Date:	Sun May 8 11:01:01 2011
How you found us:	Search Engine
Wrote... We have read Sea Room and enjoyed it greatly. We sail our yacht Sulaire in the North West of Scotland throughout July. This year we hope to visit the Shiants if weather permits. I will let you know, Adam, of potential or exact dates before we set sail. We have greatly enjoyed the website and the book, and share in the spirit of Shiantism. Best wishes to you and yours.

Name:	Adrian Toole and Elinor Scott
E-Mail:	adriant_AT_sweetbriar_DoT_demon_DoT_co_DoT_uk
Town:	Exmouth
Country:	UK
Date:	Mon May 2 10:03:39 2011
How you found us:	I got the URL from the Book 'Sea Room'
Wrote... Adam We much enjoyed Sea Room, which we read to each other in the bath (to the swirling of water). Not only is it well written but we appreciate your going into remarkable depth in your research. This is what islands are all about; we have spent several holidays in the Western isles and realize how much time it takes to get to know anywhere properly, congratulations. By coincidence I've also been reading Quentin Bell's biography of Virginia Woolf, so an intensive introduction to the Nicholsons! Best wishes Adrian

Name:	Dominic Barker
E-Mail:	dombarker_AT_hotmail_DoT_com
Town:	Salisbury
Country:	UK
Date:	Thu Mar 24 12:13:55 2011
How you found us:	Search Engine
Wrote... Hi Adam-just finished reading 'Sea Room' and loved it, fantastic writing and evocation of a magical place. As an archaeologist loved the history and archaeology. A great website as well.

Name:	Bruce Kennedy
E-Mail:	brucekennedy57_AT_hotmail_DoT_com
Town:	Rhoose
Country:	Wales
Date:	Sun Mar 20 17:41:29 2011
How you found us:	Search Engine
Wrote... Hi Adam, Sea room was an enjoyable experience and left me feeling touched the the islands despite never being there.I also enjoyed Sissinghurst unfinished History,an amazing place with a garden to die for. Many thanks. Bruce

Name:	Rob Jones
E-Mail:	robj_AT_spidermail_DoT_org
Town:	Stamford
Country:	England
Date:	Sat Mar 19 12:05:12 2011
How you found us:	I got the URL from the Book 'Sea Room'
Wrote... Got "Sea Room" for Christmas - a terrific book! Can't wait to visit the islands.

Name:	Liv Haasper
E-Mail:	myflyrocksathotmaildotcom
Town:	Ottawa
Country:	Canada
Date:	Sat Mar 19 05:22:23 2011
How you found us:	I got the URL from the Book 'Sea Room'
Wrote... Dear Adam, just a word of thanks for a book beautifully written which took me to a magic place, your islands. I wish I could sail to these islands in my small 22 ' sailboat. I'm glad these islands are in good hands so the rest of the world can enjoy visiting them. Fair winds. Liv

Name:	Chartewrs Brown
E-Mail:	derekbrown89_AT_hotmail_DoT_com
Town:	Peterborough; Ontario
Country:	Canada
Date:	Tue Mar 15 18:17:13 2011
How you found us:	Other
Wrote... As a Scot I am ashamed to say i don't know too much about the iner/outer Heb.... moving to Canada at 15yrs old i only now at 61yrs old have a strange hunger to find out more about my roots. A visit is the only answer to quench that hunger.

Name:	rachel robinson
E-Mail:	raeronola_AT_gmail_DoT_com
Town:	new orleans, louisiana
Country:	usa
Date:	Tue Mar 15 03:23:01 2011
How you found us:	Search Engine
Wrote... as a yank who has only left her own country twice at 27, i find myself inexplicably drawn to the outer hebrides. i just purchased this book and am incredibly excited to read it!

Name:	Hilary
E-Mail:	printstationery_AT_btconnect_DoT_com
Town:	Cupar, Fife
Country:	Scotland
Date:	Fri Mar 11 20:03:34 2011
How you found us:	Search Engine
Wrote... A huge fan of Sea Room (found in a charity shop). A most excellent read i couln't put down - perfect for the dark, quiet nights i spent camping on Colansay. Will i even get to the Shiants, who knows, but i feel i know them through your book. I like to keep an eye on your web site too as im fascinated by your story. All the very best of wishes to you, your family and the islands.

Name:	James A. Pottinger
E-Mail:	james_DoT_pottinger_AT_btinternet_DoT_com
Town:	Aberdeen
Country:	Scotland
Date:	Tue Feb 15 14:32:09 2011
How you found us:	I don't remember
Wrote... I would like to send a copy of photo of HMS Shiant, an Isles class A/S M/S trawler on which my late father served in WWII, also some brief details of her history

Name:	Karen Joyce
E-Mail:	karen_AT_karenjoyce_DoT_me_DoT_uk
Town:	Low Bentham
Country:	England
Date:	Sun Feb 6 19:00:10 2011
How you found us:	Search Engine
Wrote... Hello Adam - I came across your lovely website while planning a trip to the Outer Hebrides this summer. I hope to take a day trip to the Shiant in June to see the puffins. Kind regards. Karen

Name:	Heather Kent
E-Mail:	heatherkent547_AT_hotmail_DoT_com
Town:	Albury New South Wales
Country:	Australia
Date:	Sun Jan 30 03:09:45 2011
How you found us:	I got the URL from the Book 'Sea Room'
Wrote... Hi Adam just wanted to let you know how fascinated I became with the Shiant Islands after finding your book in our local library. My mother was Scottish and so I look for scottish books when I go to the library. I feel I know your islands a little better after viewing the photos on your web site. I am a bird watcher so was particularly interested in the chapters on birds. I must admit that I did not read every chapter in your book. So thank you for introducing me to a very beautiful and wild place in the world that I didn't know existed till I found your book. Take care Adam. Cheers Heather.

Name:	Jeffrey Robinson
E-Mail:	robinson_AT_theramblers_DoT_plus_DoT_com
Town:	Llanmaes, Llantwit major
Country:	Vale of Glamorgan, U.K.
Date:	Wed Jan 26 14:23:02 2011
How you found us:	Search Engine
Wrote... Like many other contributors to your Guest Book I first became aware of the Shiants after hearing Adam Nicolson's wonderful book Sea Room discussed on Radio 4. My wife bought me a copy for my birthday and what a joy it has been to read it. Withour ver visiting the Shiants I feel I know them well. One day perhaps! In the meantime thank you Adam Nicholson for your extraordinary achievement.

Name:	Joanna Smith
E-Mail:	jewellery_AT_joannarepton_DoT_co_DoT_uk
Town:	Dumfries
Country:	Scotland
Date:	Tue Jan 18 22:07:22 2011
How you found us:	A link from another site
Wrote... I am half way through reading Sea Room which I borrowed from a friend, saw it sitting in her living room and asked if I might read it. It is a wonderful account and I have just ordered a copy for myself. I spent a magical week on Harris in October 2010 and am already booked to return there in September this year, the Shiants have fascinated me since I first saw them 5 years ago when crossing from Skye to Harris and I hope to visit this September. Reading "Sea Room" just strengthens my resolve to visit, it brings the islands alive with a wonderful vibrancy. I have just watched a lovely programme on Harris tonight on TV and the man who built "Freyja" for Adam Nicholson was featured. Another link in the chain. I have viewed the islands in the glory of a several sunrises from the cottage on Harris last year so hopefully this year will see me being privileged enough to come closer to these magical islands.

Name:	Jane Convey
E-Mail:	jane_DoT_convey_AT_bigpond_DoT_com
Town:	Brisbane
Country:	Australia
Date:	Fri Jan 14 00:21:34 2011
How you found us:	I got the URL from the Book 'Sea Room'
Wrote... Hello. I have just finished reading "Sea Room". I have been enchanted with the Shiant Isles whilst reading the book. The only thing I would absolutely hate would be the rats. However, all the elements written about the Shiants in the book are fascinating. I will be passing the book on to my friends so that they may enjoy a wonderful read. I recently travelled in the UK, where I purchased the book. I travelled to the north of Scotland and Orkneys and also Skye. How I wish I knew about the Shiant Isles then. Although, unfortunately I would not have had a chance to visit, but I would have cast my eyes northwards from Skye in the vain hope of seeing them!! Thank you for the opportunity to share the life and times of the Shiant Isles. Jane

Name:	DEREK ROGERS
E-Mail:	dirkroget_AT_waitrose_DoT_com
Town:	LISKEARD
Country:	CORNWALL
Date:	Thu Jan 13 16:36:53 2011
How you found us:	I got the URL from the Book 'Sea Room'
Wrote... Just finished readingn Sea Room,excellent.I spent a month in June 2010 touring the Outer Hebrides from Butt of Lewis to Mingalay including day trip to St.Kilda,worth every penny.Passed The Shiants on ferry Uig to Tarbert also seen from Lewis coast but no time to visit!Hopefully another time now Ive read your book.

Name:	Jaine Fenn
E-Mail:	jaine_AT_jainefenn_DoT_com
Town:	Alresford
Country:	England
Date:	Wed Dec 29 15:42:10 2010
How you found us:	I got the URL from the Book 'Sea Room'
Wrote... I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed 'Sea Room', which I heard about on Radio 4. I am a professional science fiction writer, and I was very impressed with the way this book took me to a new and fascinating place - something aim for in my own writing. I would love one day to visit the Shiants. My husband is less sure, given the basic facilities; I believe this gender division normally goes the other way.

Name:	Max
E-Mail:	max_AT_pavilion_DoT_co_DoT_uk
Town:	Brighton
Country:	UK
Date:	Fri Dec 3 14:11:29 2010
How you found us:	I got the URL from the Book 'Sea Room'
Wrote... I enjoyed your book, slowly. It repeatedly reminded me of camping on Lunga (sp?) on the Treshnish Isles in 1982 or 3, as the safety companion to a wildlife photographer for one week. I didn't want to stay there any longer so your book extended my visit without having to endure hardship. I would go back - to renew friendships with the puffins.

Name:	Graham Pick
E-Mail:	pickdriving_AT_hotmail_DoT_com
Town:	Ayr
Country:	Scotland
Date:	Mon Nov 22 23:46:32 2010
How you found us:	I got the URL from the Book 'Sea Room'
Wrote... Thank you for sharing your island and for a riveting read.Occasionally we come across 'a little gem'like Longitude or The Surgeon of Crowthorne and cannot wait to pass it on to a friend to share in the pleasure of 'a good read'. Every step an arrival would also be an excellent description of your guided tour of The Shiant Isles.Thank you for an excellent read. Kind Regards, Graham Pick.

Name:	Richard Malone
E-Mail:	malone_AT_gol_DoT_com
Town:	Cheltenham
Country:	Gloucestershire
Date:	Tue Nov 2 08:19:33 2010
How you found us:	I got the URL from the Book 'Sea Room'
Wrote... Saw the Shiants from across the Minch 12 years ago, sailing south from Cape Wrath. The Dundee skipper pointed them out as islands owned by the Nicolsons, father and son, and what a great job they have made of it, especially how they dealt with the RSPB! And now, I've just finished Sea Room, and I shall miss my treasured hours of reading it.

Name:	Steve Court
E-Mail:	steve_DoT_court_AT_gmail_DoT_com
Town:	Bristol
Country:	UK
Date:	Mon Oct 11 10:18:46 2010
How you found us:	I got the URL from the Book 'Sea Room'
Wrote... Hi, came across your book by accident in the library of a Highland farm cottage I am staying in. Fascinating book and really drew me in to the wonder of these islands. Would love to visit one day!

Name:	Mary Jo Wilson
E-Mail:	Farrier_Supply_AT_msn_DoT_com
Town:	Greensboro, North Carolina
Country:	USA
Date:	Mon Oct 4 03:13:52 2010
How you found us:	I got the URL from the Book 'Sea Room'
Wrote... As Vilborg says, I too feel like I have just come back from a journey to the Hebrides, so immersed was I in the manyfold story you tell in Sea Room about the islands and their people.

Name:	Andrea
E-Mail:	andreacesari_AT_frontier_DoT_com
Town:	Forest Grove
Country:	United States
Date:	Sun Oct 3 19:51:24 2010
How you found us:	I got the URL from the Book 'Sea Room'
Wrote... Thank you for Sea Room. The older I get, the more I believe that sometimes the best thing we can do for a place is not go there - to let it be, and I think I now feel this way about the Shiants, so without your book, I would have no insight into them at all, and that would be a pity.

Name:	George M Knox
E-Mail:	gmknox_AT_gmail_DoT_com
Town:	Eugene
Country:	Oregon
Date:	Thu Sep 30 23:45:37 2010
How you found us:	Other
Wrote... I found the web site in David Yeardon's book, Seasons on Harris

Name:	Katherine Schlosser
E-Mail:	kathyschlosser_AT_triad_DoT_rr_DoT_com
Town:	Greensboro
Country:	US
Date:	Wed Sep 29 03:26:04 2010
How you found us:	I got the URL from the Book 'Sea Room'
Wrote... Thank you for continuing to share the Shiant Isles.

Name:	Mary Stewart
E-Mail:	dsa_DoT_planning_AT_btconnect_DoT_com
Town:	Cullompton
Country:	England
Date:	Tue Sep 21 14:24:20 2010
How you found us:	Other
Wrote... I visted the islands 4th September by dingy from the Hebridean Pricess which moored in the bay. It was bueatiful, magical and completely stunning. Several of us from the ship landed and explored, some on long walks others just taking the lower shoreline paths. The house was fascinting. The wild life stunning. Hebredian Princess lauches also took us close in to see the seals, sea eagle, and so many birds. We were only there for a few hours but the memory will live forever. I am currently now reading the sea room and reliving the hours on the island. Thank you for keeping this island safe for nature lovers to visit.

Name:	Marc Perry
E-Mail:	marcperry500_AT_hotmail_DoT_com
Town:	Wallington
Country:	England
Date:	Mon Aug 2 12:12:43 2010
How you found us:	Search Engine
Wrote... What an amazing island! Totally breathtaking!

Name:	Jeannie Rodman
E-Mail:	jeanniejayne_AT_verizon_DoT_net
Town:	Smyrna, Delaware
Country:	USA
Date:	Sat Jul 10 18:37:01 2010
How you found us:	I got the URL from the Book 'Sea Room'
Wrote... I am thoroughly engrossed in "Sea Room" and have just begun reading the chapter in which Pat Foster is being shown the treasures of the Shiants for the first time. This book is in itself a treasure and awakens -- again!-- the urge to visit the west highlands I first met when reading Maxwell's "Ring of Bright Water" at age twelve. I thought it must be the most beautiful place on earth then, and when I finally set foot there many years later I found that it was my heart's home. I am now 57, and have visited the west highlands seven times; once to Harris and Lewis, a magical island where I spent a glorious week at Scarista House B&B. I saw the Shiants then, a mysterious and brooding presence in that gorgeous seaspace (this was in June, when the lambs could be seen through the front window, gamboling on the machair. Thank you for writing this book, and for most generously sharing your treasure with us. It's such a treat to know I have an entire body of your writings waiting to be enjoyed, as I know Sea Room is the sort of book one hates to finish. JJR

Name:	Silke Friedel
E-Mail:
Town:
Country:	Germany
Date:	Wed Jul 7 16:45:36 2010
How you found us:	I got the URL from the Book 'Sea Room'
Wrote... Just finished "Sea Room" which I bought in Gairloch while I was staying at Sands campsite. I just love Scotland but haven't been able to visit any isles so far. Whatever I read about the Hebrides and other islands makes me want to go there. I just loved the book. Reading it almost felt like being there in person.

Name:	Vilborg Davidsdottir
E-Mail:
Town:
Country:
Date:	Fri Jun 25 16:07:21 2010
How you found us:	Word of mouth
Wrote... Last note about hogs and haystacks: I contacted placename/onomastics expert Doreen Waugh, of the School of Scottish and Celtic Studies, who swiftly clarified the matter, saying: "The interpretation which I have usually assumed to be the correct one is that the name comes from your word 'galti', or its Old Norse equivalent. It is commonly used in place-names to indicate islands the shape of a hog's back. The -ichean- ending in Gaelic is simply a plural form indicating a collection of such islands. In fact, I suspect that your (Icelandic) word for a haystack has the same origin." (end of quote). I checked my dictionary and she is absolutely right, the haystack-word galti is derived for the word for a hog - göltur. So, the Galtachean are in fact the hog-islets!

Name:	Vilborg DavÃÃ°sdÃ³ttir
E-Mail:
Town:
Country:	Iceland
Date:	Mon Jun 14 17:02:40 2010
How you found us:	I don't remember
Wrote... Oops - the Icelandic letter Ã– in our word for hog, lacking in the Internet's alphabet, is an o with two dots above.

Name:	Vilborg Davíðsdóttir
E-Mail:
Town:	Reykjavík
Country:	Iceland
Date:	Mon Jun 14 16:58:54 2010
How you found us:	Word of mouth
Wrote... A bit more on the Galtas and the notion that perhaps they were ‘pigs’ in the middle of the Minch, not good for navigators: In Icelandic (and Norse) the word for a male pig or hog is göltur (pl. geltir) and we have quite many placenames such as "hog mountain": Galtafell and "Hog Creek": Galtalækur. Usually there will be a legend of a settler in the 9. century who lost a few pigs in the autumn and found them again in spring at this place, their numbers greatly increased. Some grammar is probably also needed to explain: Every noun in Icelandic has four different forms depending on the preposition next to it (and four more for the plural!) Geltir (pl.) in the possessive case/genitive case- needed for compound words - is galta. If the rocks would have taken the name from being seen as "the Hogs", one would have said "Geltir" or "Geltirnir" (-nir being the definite article)- the first syllable "ge" sounding like g+"yeah". Or perhaps "Litli göltur" - Small Hog and "Stóri göltur" - Big Hog. The Icelandic/Norse ö sounds like the vowel in "sir". However, no vowel-change is needed at all to convert the word "Galtar" (big haystacks) to Galtas/Galtachean. Hope I am not drowning you in grammar! Dia dhuit, Vilborg.

Name:	Vilborg Davíðsdóttir
E-Mail:	vilborg_dot_davids_at_gmail_dot_com
Town:	Reykjavík
Country:	Iceland
Date:	Mon Jun 14 12:15:01 2010
How you found us:	Search Engine
Wrote... Dear mr. Nicolson. I have just finished reading your book about the Shiant Isles and wanted to thank you very much for writing it. I feel as I have come back home from a journey to the Hebrides, so immersed was I in the manyfold story you tell in Sea Room about the islands and their people. I wanted to share with you a thought on the Galtas and a possible origin for their name. You wrote that it may have come from the Norse word for a gable of a house - which is gafl. This is not impossible, though, the pronounciation in Norse (modern Icelandic is very little changed from old Norse) of that particular word, gafl (sing.) or gaflar (plural) would be gabbl and gabblar with a very distinct b-sound. When looking at the photos of the rocks they did however remind me of the large stacks of hay that were quite common at every Icelandic farm until quite recently, when farmers started to wrap the hay into hideous white plastic. The hay would be gathered in the fields (tún, pron. toon) and carried to the homefarm on horses,where it would be kind of lumped together in large stacks, and covered with canvas. These big stacks usually had a rectangular, oblong shape and would be as high as 3- 4 metres. And they would be called galti (singular) and galtar (plural). I tried to find a decent picture of those on the Internet without much success, these should give you an idea, though the photos are taken out in the fields, not where they would be making the big galtar close to the farm: http://cs-001.123.is/d146ed2d-5189-445a-ada1-c484d1e75726_MS.jpg and http://ljosmyndasafn.akranes.is/photos/ola00523.jpg (see esp. the one farthest to the right ) Again, my heartfelt thanks for Sea Room, kind regards from Iceland, Vilborg

Name:	Robert (Bob) Morrison
E-Mail:	rsmorris_AT_bellsouth_DoT_net
Town:	Raleigh, North Carolina
Country:	United States
Date:	Mon May 17 17:42:22 2010
How you found us:	I got the URL from the Book 'Sea Room'
Wrote... I just finished "the book". What a great job of writing! I've been involved with the Dún Eistean Project from the beginning and have gotten fired up on the history, archaeology, and all the other "ologies" of the Western Isles.

Name:	Robert (Bob) Morrison
E-Mail:	rsmorris_AT_bellsouth_DoT_net
Town:	Raleigh, North Carolina
Country:	United States
Date:	Mon May 17 17:37:04 2010
How you found us:	I got the URL from the Book 'Sea Room'
Wrote... I just finished "the book". What a great job of writing! I've been involved with the Dún Eistean Project from the beginning and have gotten fired up on the history, archaeology, and all the other "ologies" of the Western Isles.

Name:	ERIN CARROLL
E-Mail:	erincarroll_AT_rogers_DoT_com
Town:	TORONTO
Country:	CANADA
Date:	Fri Apr 16 20:53:39 2010
How you found us:	A link from another site
Wrote... I just received your book and have started reading it. My 5x great grandparents were Donald Munro who was born in Harris and his wife Mary Mackinnon. They lived on the Shiants up until sometime in the 1830's . I am descended from thier daughter Mary Munro who married Donald MacLennan. Your book will give me a wonderful insight into my family and their lives on the Shiants. Erin

Name:	Tea Martino Yamamoto
E-Mail:	huiha_AT_centurytel_DoT_net
Town:	Vashon island, WA State
Country:	USA
Date:	Sat Apr 3 20:43:21 2010
How you found us:	I got the URL from the Book 'Sea Room'
Wrote... You are good to let people stay there. I raise sheep on an island. Are these by chance Scottish Blackface? We have sheep that were left on an island close to us a long time ago. They did very well.

Name:	Marie Boyd
E-Mail:	mboyd91737_AT_aol_DoT_com
Town:	Rancho Cucamonga
Country:	California, USA
Date:	Thu Apr 1 01:31:45 2010
How you found us:	I got the URL from the Book 'Sea Room'
Wrote... I have been swept away by Mr. Nicholson's account of the Shiants. He is a master with words and I feel as though I can breath in that sea air, hear the puffins and feel the sharpness of the juraissic rock underfoot. I have recently taken my coprehensive exams for my doctorate rogram, and I found reading (savoring) a few pages a night before going to sleep helped to relax and ease the tension of 8 hours of academic writing! Thank you so much for this book - and sharing the Shiants with the rest ofthe world.

Name:	Rebecca
E-Mail:	rebeccagillier_AT_hotmail_DoT_com
Town:	London
Country:
Date:	Thu Mar 4 21:43:42 2010
How you found us:	Search Engine
Wrote... Loved the book, love Scotland, particularly the western coast and the islands. I was just wondering if Tom had taken ownership of the islands yet and if so, how he's getting on. Many thanks.

Name:	john c. kennedy
E-Mail:	jck51_AT_comcast_DoT_net
Town:	montclair, New Jersey
Country:	USA
Date:	Mon Mar 1 14:23:30 2010
How you found us:	Other
Wrote... On a visit to Ireland some years back, I wanted to get to the Skelligs, attracted by the history, situs and spirit of the place. We got as far as Port Magee on a beautiful day but the sea was too rough for a landing. Still, the place lives on in my mind and I've taken to reading about islnds with a similar snese of place. I just finished reading "Sea Room" and have now added the Shiant Islands as one of those places I'll never get to but which gladden my heart that they're there, as it were. Congratulations to Nicolson: the right man for the book and a generous caretaker of a spot in the world that resonates in the hearts of even those who have never been to such a 'spirit shrouded' set of isles.

Name:	Kairen Smith
E-Mail:	kstoads_AT_hotmail,com
Town:	Bolton
Country:	Great Britain
Date:	Fri Feb 26 14:59:23 2010
How you found us:	Search Engine
Wrote... Just to say that I found the Sea Room a fascinating book that I thoroughly enjoyed. I've passed it on my Dad now and I have a list of people who want to read it. Would love to visit the Shiants one day.

Name:	Paul Dobie
E-Mail:	paul_DoT_dobie_AT_dsl_DoT_pipex_DoT_com
Town:	Biggar
Country:	Scotland
Date:	Fri Feb 5 11:46:43 2010
How you found us:	I got the URL from the Book 'Sea Room'
Wrote... I thoroughly enjoyed reading "Sea Room". I enjoyed learning about the islands, their history & the influences exerted from the shores of Lewis & beyond. I hope you find the photograph & that future custodians of the islands care for them as well as you. Paul.

Name:	MARGARET RUTH TILEY
E-Mail:	rtiley9_AT_googlemail_DoT_com
Town:	DARLINGTON
Country:	ENGLAND
Date:	Tue Feb 2 15:30:14 2010
How you found us:	I got the URL from the Book 'Sea Room'
Wrote... i AM FINDING "SEAROOM" FASCINATING AS I HAVE A GREAT LOVE OF THE HEBRIDES AND SKYE, WHICH I HAVE VISITED MANY TIMES.LOVED THE ACCOUNT OF THE BOAT BUILDER AS HE REMINDED ME OF MY FATHER WHO LOVED WORKING WITH WOOD.

Name:	Elizabeth (Allen) Tobiasson
E-Mail:	WEWorkshop_AT_aol_DoT_com
Town:	Etna New Hampshire
Country:	USA
Date:	Sat Jan 30 14:59:32 2010
How you found us:	I got the URL from the Book 'Sea Room'
Wrote... Just starting the book ... have been hoping to travel to the Hebrides for a long time and the book is just the frosting on the cake! Such loving feeling in the discription of the boat building ... we also have a small cottage in Brooklin Maine - self proclaimed "Boat Building Capital of the world" (wooden of course)... also the location only identifiable viking artifact found in the US ... a tiny coin. The Tobiassons are of viking stock (Sweden - which we have visited often) the Allens are of Scotish stock, so its my turn now!

Name:	Suzanne Tina Stevens
E-Mail:	suzannestevens1957_AT_live_DoT_com
Town:	Bay City
Country:	Michigan, USA
Date:	Wed Jan 27 01:35:26 2010
How you found us:	A link from another site
Wrote... I am fascinated by remote, somewhat mysterious and lovely places. Discovered this group of islands while researching an upcoming trip to the Isle of Skye and, hopefully, some of the Outer Hebrides. What a lovely place!

Name:	roy wright
E-Mail:	roy_DoT_tylden_DoT_wright_AT_gmail_DoT_com
Town:	laggan
Country:	scotland
Date:	Thu Jan 21 09:34:17 2010
How you found us:	I got the URL from the Book 'Sea Room'
Wrote... Sea Room - resonant account for margin-dwellers. Beautifully written, energetically researched and deeply felt. The Campbell family lives in the memory (my farm was abandoned at the same time but there is a photo 1901 or 1904 of the Logan family.) Did Catherine not say "I'll leave this place in my box". Is there a tragic irony where her firm desire to preserve the status quo forced its destruction? No answer I know - but a truly compelling story - among many others!

Name:	roy wright
E-Mail:	roy_DoT_tylden_DoT_wright_AT_gmail_DoT_com
Town:	laggan
Country:	scotland
Date:	Thu Jan 21 09:32:48 2010
How you found us:	I got the URL from the Book 'Sea Room'
Wrote... Sea Room - resonant account for margin-dwellers. Beautifully written, energetically researched and deeply felt. The Campbell family lives in the memory (my farm was abandoned at the same time but there is a photo 1901 or 1904 of the Logan family.) Did Catherine not say "I'll leave this place in my box". Is there a tragic irony where her firm desire to preserve the status quo forced its destruction? No answer I know - but a truly compelling story - among many others!

Name:	Fernando De Sousa
E-Mail:	santec_AT_orange_DoT_fr
Town:	Paris / Oporto
Country:	France / Portugal
Date:	Thu Jan 7 23:33:48 2010
How you found us:	Search Engine
Wrote... I have discovered some years ago, when living and teaching portuguese in London, The Shiants from "Sea Room", a wonderful and captivating book; as I m a passionate reader for small islands information, I quite often visit this website (as others for scottish islands as St Kilda or Britanny islands in the west of France); I m now passing this love affair to some of my students and friends; thanks Adam, for your delightful book; through him I could understand why me, coming from a mediterranian country, love so much these northern countrysides.

Name:	David (McIver) Docherty
E-Mail:	dochertyinbc_AT_yahoo_DoT_ca
Town:	Salmon Arm, BC
Country:	Canada
Date:	Wed Dec 2 07:11:59 2009
How you found us:	I got the URL from the Book 'Sea Room'
Wrote... I began reading Sea Room as a research tool and quickly was immersed in as fine a read as ever I have enjoyed. Thank you so much for the sharing. Nunquam obliviscar.

Name:	Aileen
E-Mail:	ailwalker21_AT_googlemail_DoT_co_DoT_uk
Town:	Glasgow
Country:	Scotland
Date:	Tue Nov 24 10:27:24 2009
How you found us:	Other
Wrote... I went to Edinburgh yesterday to the National Museum of Scotland, specifically to see the Shiant torc. I won’t tell you where it is displayed so you can have the fun of finding it too. It is modestly described as a Viking Necklace and as having been found in the Minch without mentioning the Shiants. It is a beautiful object and part of the fascination for me is the mystery surrounding its loss. I love the idea suggested by Adam in his book that it may have been a votive offering – a gift to the world. Sea Room is one of the most fascinating books that I have ever read. It was my companion while on retreat in North Wales. Thanks Adam for loving the Shiants and for sharing that.

Name:	James Sandrock
E-Mail:	james-sandrock_AT_uiowa_DoT_edu
Town:	Iowa City, IA
Country:	USA
Date:	Mon Nov 23 23:00:51 2009
How you found us:	I got the URL from the Book 'Sea Room'
Wrote... I have been interested in the Hebrides for years, especially St Kilda and, since reading "Sea Room" (one of the best-written, most charming books ever) in the Shiants. The Parcae willing, I will see them all some day.

Name:	alexa kirsten
E-Mail:	stapole_AT_mweb_DoT_co_DoT_za
Town:	Wellington
Country:	South Africa
Date:	Fri Nov 6 14:14:01 2009
How you found us:	I got the URL from the Book 'Sea Room'
Wrote... Am totally fascinated by these islands - have been made aware of them by the wonderful descriptions in the book Sea Room. Such a joy to read and even from so far away am so intrigued. Thank you for this extraordinary book.

Name:	Sam Wang
E-Mail:	znd5601_AT_yahoo_DoT_com_DoT_cn
Town:	Wuhan
Country:	China
Date:	Fri Oct 16 05:17:27 2009
How you found us:	Other
Wrote... Dear Adam, I am translating a book "A Book of Silence" by Sara Maitland into Chinese and unexpectedly visited you website and read the samle chapter.The introduction to your island and the book Sea Room are really impressive.By reading I have imagined to tour a magnificent place there. Many thanks.

Name:	Patricia Osterhout
E-Mail:	angel62441_AT_aol_DoT_com
Town:	New Smyrna Beach, FL
Country:	USA
Date:	Thu Oct 15 23:04:17 2009
How you found us:	I got the URL from the Book 'Sea Room'
Wrote... Dear Adam, My husband and I read "God's Secretaries" several years ago. He has since passed away, but the book is still treasured in our home library. Our book club was reading "The Guynd" and when ordering on Amazon, your book came up as "other selected reading". I have always been fascinated with the Scottish Island culture beginning with an article (and later book) about St. Kilda. I am reading and loving your book "Sea Room". I only wish Bill were here to enjoy it also. My dream is to make another trip to Scotland (the first in 9/07 and make a longer stay. If I weren't so old (68) I would like to make one of those trips to St. Kilda. But it might be too much. That sounds like something for a much younger person. I will also buy and enjoy reading your book on sailing around the British Isles. Bill and I had a Pacific Seacraft 31 and loved it very much. I enjoyed the chapter in your book about the building and sailing of "Freyja". God Bless you and thank you for your books and website.

Name:	VAN ROY Willem
E-Mail:	wivanroy_AT_scarlet_DoT_be
Town:	Dilbeek
Country:	Belgium
Date:	Thu Sep 17 20:59:41 2009
How you found us:	Search Engine
Wrote... I have always been interested in the remote islands of Scotland, and when I found "Sea Room" by chance in a second hand bookshop, I bought it immediately. It is a marvellous book. Thank you so much for this wonderfull book.

Name:	Laurie Prescott
E-Mail:	laurie_DoT_prescott_AT_btinternet_DoT_com
Town:	Edinburgh
Country:	United Kingdom
Date:	Sun Sep 6 11:08:35 2009
How you found us:	Other
Wrote... Hallo Adam, I could not help but write to you after reading “Sea Room” and later exploring the fantastic Shiant Islands website to which I have returned time and time again. I so enjoyed “Sea Room” and could hardly put it down until I came to the end. It was so evocative, and the work is brimming with your love and enthusiasm for the Islands. It is a masterpiece and much of what you have written is so familiar and applies loosely to the Western Isles in general. You have included so much detail, particularly of the archaeology, geology and bird life, not to mention the prospect of a most generous welcome to those fortunate enough to land on your very own islands. “Sea Room” was lent to me by Bill Cowie, the warden of South Rona. We visit Rona frequently and Bill is a very old friend, who has also spent much time alone on his island. I am sure that you will know of him if you have not already met him. We are yachties and although we stay in the big city of Edinburgh, for many years we have spent our “summers” sailing in the Western Isles and beyond. It is a wonderful experience to visit the Shiant Islands when the weather and circumstances allow and I hope that one day our paths may cross there. Meantime, it has been a great privilege to read “Sea Room”. Laurie Prescott

Name:	Jocie HARRIS-Hoch
E-Mail:	Harrishoch_AT_hotmail_DoT_com
Town:	Carmel/Big Sur, California
Country:	U.S.
Date:	Sat Sep 5 02:18:23 2009
How you found us:	Search Engine
Wrote... Adam, Found Sea Room by chance at the public library. I am a shepherd of Scottish Highland Blackface and Soay sheep here in California for grazing purposes. I have always loved the Outer Hebrides and want to visit someday. For now, your book has taken me there and during a tough period of time, just when I needed to escape. Thank you.

Name:	Martin Roberts
E-Mail:	mwhroberts_AT_btinternet_DoT_com
Town:	Berks
Country:	UK
Date:	Sun Aug 23 21:27:54 2009
How you found us:	Search Engine
Wrote... We visited twice this year by yacht and found it invigorating. Continue the good work, keep the island in family hands and away from the paper pushers. I hope the archaelogical work continues on the history of human habitation.

Name:	Cait McCullagh
E-Mail:	cait_DoT_mccullagh_AT_gmail_DoT_com
Town:	Lemlair
Country:	Scotland
Date:	Sun Aug 23 08:51:22 2009
How you found us:	Search Engine
Wrote... Delighted to have stumbled upon this site whilst looking for images of sheep shanks! I have heard a great deal about archaeological and nautical advantures on around the islands from Janet and Cathy.

Name:	Cait McCullagh
E-Mail:	cait_DoT_mccullagh_AT_gmail_DoT_com
Town:	Lemlair
Country:	Scotland
Date:	Sun Aug 23 08:50:25 2009
How you found us:	Search Engine
Wrote... Delighted to have stumbled upon this site whilst looking for images of sheep shanks! I have heard a great deal about archaeological and nautical advantures on around the islands from Janet and Cathy.

Name:	Kate Lock
E-Mail:	kate_DoT_lock_AT_newpark_DoT_eclipse_DoT_co_DoT_uk
Town:	Copplestone ( a village actually!)
Country:	UK
Date:	Sun Aug 16 22:30:03 2009
How you found us:	I got the URL from the Book 'Sea Room'
Wrote... Hi. Just had the joy of finishing Sea Room, lovingly recommended by a dear friend. I very much enjoyed it, I felt that I had been there with you, by the end, sitting on a grassy bank looking out to sea. It took me back to a very lovely holiday I spent with my mum and dad (and, I think, one brother, I have many, but I think most of them were not there - not sure why) to Mull. It is the only place that I have considered jumping ship to stay at the end of the holiday! Unfortunately I am a woman, but I hope that won't put you off replying! Living as we have in the country - deepest Devon - I have learnt many skills that I had no idea of - shooting, plucking, raising pigs (and children, probably less successfully). Anyhow, I just wanted to say how lovely it was to metaphrically spend that time sitting on your islad soaking up the history, geography and the stories. I would love to visit the Shiants some time, when pigs and children allow. Many many thanks. Kate

Name:	Duncan Murchison
E-Mail:	murchison972_AT_btinternet_DoT_com
Town:	Applecross
Country:	United Kingdom
Date:	Fri Aug 14 22:04:49 2009
How you found us:	Search Engine
Wrote... Passed by manys a time but never been able to land

Name:	Joe Harland
E-Mail:	joe_DoT_gh_AT_ntlworld_DoT_com
Town:	Guildford
Country:	UK
Date:	Tue Aug 11 15:40:04 2009
How you found us:	I got the URL from the Book 'Sea Room'
Wrote... Thank you for a great holiday read. As a child, a long time ago I used to draw and colour Puffins but had never seen one. However this year I managed to get to Skomer and actually see them. They were as wonderful as I imagined and reading your book a month later made the experience even better. I now have to plan a trip to your islands for some more magic. Thank you

Name:	FIona Macdonald
E-Mail:	ffoggin_AT_hotmail_DoT_com
Town:
Country:	Singapore
Date:	Thu Jul 30 16:04:13 2009
How you found us:	Search Engine
Wrote... Hi, I'm from the North East of England, currently living in Singapore. I'm reading Sea Room and am loving reading about the seasonal changes - believe it or not I really miss cold weather, 'proper' green grass and sheep......I'm plotting my escape for when my Teens fly the nest - I'll put the Shiants on my list. Fiona Macdonald

Name:	Dusty Deming
E-Mail:	ddeming_AT_ymcagreenville_DoT_org
Town:	Greenville, South Carolina
Country:	USA
Date:	Mon Jul 27 17:40:52 2009
How you found us:	Search Engine
Wrote... I was hiking in the Western Highlands and Isle of Skye in June and our guide , Iain Thow, recommended Sea Room, which I just finished. He was enthusiastic and now, I am too. Except for the rats, the Shiants would be a wonderful place to visit. Hope to be back in two years for another hike and to paint. I will try to find a way to the Shiants then (July 2011). Thank you for a lovely, inspiring book.

Name:	Jack Street
E-Mail:	Jackjeeppy_AT_aol_DoT_com
Town:	Sheffield
Country:	England
Date:	Mon Jul 27 09:38:24 2009
How you found us:	Other
Wrote... Hi Adam I went to the Shiants with Jim Lennon in July 09 and I am writing a small piece for my ringing group web site can I use the information on your website about the birds on the Shiant Islands please.

Name:	ann shuker
E-Mail:	ann_AT_shuker_DoT_com
Town:	elstree
Country:	herts
Date:	Tue Jul 7 23:07:11 2009
How you found us:	Search Engine
Wrote... Having read Sea Room a few years ago I was delighted to see that noble caledonian was sailing there as part of their scottish island heritage tour on their ship Island Sky in June 2009.We had a wonderful trip. Perfect weather, the sea like a mill pond, and were able to sail right around the Shiants and see the little house on the shore. We didnt land but I could recognize many of the landmarks from the book as we sailed around & it was very beautiful.. I will now have to read it again! It is one of my favourite books I enjoyed reading it so much & was sorry to get to the end. It reminded me of a holiday spent with friends on LundyIsland on my 21st birthday many ,many years ago. We didn t see any puffins then but on the trip to the Scottish islands in June we saw plenty !

Name:	Margaret Swanberg
E-Mail:	mswanberg_AT_ymail_DoT_com
Town:	Ioannina
Country:	Greece
Date:	Wed Jun 24 14:39:38 2009
How you found us:	I got the URL from the Book 'Sea Room'
Wrote... Beautiful book, magnificent islands and an excellent website. Wish I could visit the place myself.

Name:	Iain Beaton
E-Mail:	ibeaton_AT_talktalk_DoT_net
Town:	St Helens
Country:	United Kingdom
Date:	Wed Jun 17 15:26:13 2009
How you found us:	A link from another site
Wrote... Sailed around the Shiants on Friday 12th June 2009 on M.C.A. Orca 1 offshore R.H.I.B under cloudless skies and saw 2 whales,porpoises,seals,lots of puffins,guillemots,kittiwakes,fulmars, skuas and razorbills. Wonderful 3 hours!

Name:	Andy Morris RN Retd Ex Lt RN HMS Collingwood
E-Mail:	andy_DoT_morris1_DoT_morris_AT_btinternet_DoT_com
Town:	Fareham
Country:	UK
Date:	Mon Jun 15 10:44:05 2009
How you found us:	I got the URL from the Book 'Sea Room'
Wrote... Excellent Website full of interest and Information. Although 12 cans of beer and 1 bottle of Scotch for 4 days is a bit frugal. Sea Room is rivetting and would love to see Freya included under full new sail !!

Name:	Patrick Standen
E-Mail:	pstanden_AT_smcvt_DoT_edu
Town:	Burlington, Vermont
Country:	USA
Date:	Fri Jun 12 15:57:41 2009
How you found us:	I got the URL from the Book 'Sea Room'
Wrote... "Sea Room" is, in my opinion, a wonderful book. I was riveted to your descriptions of the Shiants. Thank you for writing such a stirring and profound portrait of a place.

Name:	Annemiek Meertens
E-Mail:	annemiek_DoT_meertens_AT_deltares_DoT_nl
Town:	Rotterdam
Country:	The Netherlands
Date:	Tue Jun 2 11:30:09 2009
How you found us:	I got the URL from the Book 'Sea Room'
Wrote... Interesting book and website!

Name:	Paul Thompson
E-Mail:	mfernanc_AT_virginbroadband_DoT_com_DoT_au
Town:	armidale
Country:	australia
Date:	Sun May 24 05:33:22 2009
How you found us:	Search Engine
Wrote... Up to chapter 5 in Sea Room and only today decided to find the Shiants via google. The Shiant homepage adds another dimension and is the next best thing to actually being there. While born in Sussex and living in Australia for 30+years, my heart resides in the islands and highlands of Scotland.Thank you for a gem of a book and the pleasure of The Shiants exploration from here down under.

Name:	Michael Hannaford
E-Mail:	mhannaford_AT_ccga_DoT_edu
Town:	Folkston, Georgia
Country:	USA
Date:	Fri May 22 02:04:25 2009
How you found us:	I got the URL from the Book 'Sea Room'
Wrote... I have loved your wonderful book and, consequently, love your enchanted but oh-so-marvelously-real islands. Thank you very much!

Name:	Robert Wagner
E-Mail:	robert_DoT_wagner_AT_btinternet_DoT_com
Town:	Nr Kilmarnock
Country:	United Kingdom
Date:	Thu May 21 07:52:10 2009
How you found us:	I don't remember
Wrote... all sounds wonderful but very worrying bird report

Name:	Robert Wagner
E-Mail:	robert_DoT_wagner_AT_btinternet_DoT_com
Town:	Nr Kilmarnock
Country:	United Kingdom
Date:	Thu May 21 07:51:07 2009
How you found us:	I don't remember
Wrote... It all sounds wonderful except for the very worrying seabird report.

Name:	Ted Naughton
E-Mail:	naught_AT_optonline_DoT_net
Town:	Head of the Harbor, New York
Country:	USA
Date:	Sat May 9 19:30:58 2009
How you found us:	I got the URL from the Book 'Sea Room'
Wrote... Thank You

Name:	Amanda Jane MacLean
E-Mail:	mandyjane61_AT_hotmail_DoT_com
Town:	Glasgow
Country:	Scotland
Date:	Tue May 5 12:26:44 2009
How you found us:	Search Engine
Wrote... I recently visited Stornoway and found your book in the tourist information office. I really don't want to finish reading it! Thank you for a lovely book!

Name:	Maria Palmer
E-Mail:	MARIA_DoT_PALMER_AT_CSA_DoT_GSI_DoT_GOV_DoT_UK
Town:	Plymouth
Country:	UK
Date:	Fri Apr 24 12:57:40 2009
How you found us:	Search Engine
Wrote... Last week I fell over and injured myself. For three days of enforced idlness (in the sun I might add) I was able to bask in the Shiant Isles, I even dreamt about them. They will always shine for me.Thank you Adam.

Name:	Bayla Bower
E-Mail:	baylacrone_AT_aol_DoT_com
Town:	Berkeley
Country:	USA
Date:	Tue Apr 7 21:57:33 2009
How you found us:	I got the URL from the Book 'Sea Room'
Wrote... Thanks for your book and the thoughtfulness and thoroughness it took to write it. I found it at my local library, looking for Orkneys or anything on Scotland (the land of some of my kin).

Name:	Sarah Duce
E-Mail:	sarah_duce_AT_hotmail_DoT_com
Town:	Fortrose
Country:	United Kingdom
Date:	Sat Feb 21 21:29:09 2009
How you found us:	Other
Wrote... I was born on Harris, and the Shiants were a welcome sight to a kid who got very seasick on the ferry! My dad used to fish round them and the tales of giant rats still scare me! Going up next week so will give them a wave. Sarah.

Name:	Bart Hobson
E-Mail:	hobsonbd_AT_hotmail_DoT_com
Town:	Wausau
Country:	USA
Date:	Tue Feb 17 03:24:12 2009
How you found us:	I got the URL from the Book 'Sea Room'
Wrote... The online bookseller Alibris recommended your book after I ordered a copy of "A Childhood in Scotland" by Christian Miller. That had long been one of my favorite books and now that I have little children afraid of ghosts, I reacquired it because Ms. Miller speaks so calmly of living with the ghosts of her ancestors. Your book has some of the same sense of growing up in a different world (different to me, of course, while home to you, although I gather you have always been a bit of a stranger at least to some of the Scots). I had heard of you during the period of my life when I spent all my free time sailing (before the little children). I appreciate your depicting islands as a feature of the sea. Island life here on the Great Lakes is not so different (I know a man who owns an island on Lake Superior and have recommended your book to him.) It's a wonderful thing to be attached to the land. We Americans tend to move around a lot, for good or ill, myself as much any any, but learning to feel the heart of a landscape is important if one is to become a steward instead of an exploiter. I thought often of John McPhee while reading your book. And of John Muir, who grew up Wisconsin before heading to California. In the time I have lived in Wisconsin, the bald eagle has strongly recovered and now even nests in our city limits. I hope the sea eagle can likewise revive. I hope some day to make it to Scotland. Among other things, I now yearn to know which castle was Ms. Miller's family home (she carefully does not say) and, now being acquainted with the Shiant Isles, perhaps to visit there. Thank you for your enchanting book, Bart Hobson

Name:	David B. Bartley
E-Mail:	david_DoT_bartley_AT_bradygames_DoT_com
Town:	Indianapolis, IN
Country:	USA
Date:	Fri Feb 6 22:11:31 2009
How you found us:	I got the URL from the Book 'Sea Room'
Wrote... Dear Adam, This message is long overdue. I finished reading Sea Room a few months before the date in which you had planned to 'will' the islands over to your son. It's been a while since then, and I've been meaning to tell you how much I enjoyed the book -- on so many levels (nature, history, location, etc.). My wife and I visited Scotland, including Skye and Orkney, in 1997. Hope to someday return and visit the Hebrides. Kind Regards, David

Name:	Theo J. M. Vestjens
E-Mail:	Tjmvestjens_AT_hotmail_DoT_com
Town:	Groningen
Country:	Netherlands
Date:	Mon Jan 26 20:59:54 2009
How you found us:	I got the URL from the Book 'Sea Room'
Wrote... I like the book Zeezicht leven op een onbewoond eiland a lot. Thanks

Name:	David Shipway
E-Mail:	shipway_AT_island_DoT_net
Town:	Cortes Island, British Columbia
Country:	Canada
Date:	Sun Jan 18 07:54:31 2009
How you found us:	A link from another site
Wrote... Thoroughly enjoying Sea Room now, after reading Seamanship this winter by the fire, with a wee bit of good scotch, when working on the boat I'm rebuilding to get about the many small islands here in B.C. was just to difficult or chilly to contemplate.

Name:	Geoff Kirkham
E-Mail:	geoffkirkhamiom_AT_live_DoT_co_DoT_uk
Town:	Arnside
Country:	Cumbria
Date:	Tue Dec 30 20:21:16 2008
How you found us:	I got the URL from the Book 'Sea Room'
Wrote... What a wonderful book, Sea Room, read it in 2 weeks! Must visit soon. Have spent some time on Rum, Shiant next!! Thanks Adam for genourously sharing those wonderful isles and stories with us. Hope Tom enjoys them as you have. Geoff

Name:	Jane Barff
E-Mail:	janebarff_AT_btinternet_DoT_com
Town:	Slaithwaite
Country:	W Yorkshire
Date:	Tue Dec 23 13:33:31 2008
How you found us:	I got the URL from the Book 'Sea Room'
Wrote... A lovely, lovely book, so beautifully written. I enjoyed it hugely.

Name:	theun de jong
E-Mail:	th_DoT_j_DoT_47_AT_hetnet_DoT_nl
Town:	Medemblik
Country:	The Netherlands
Date:	Tue Dec 9 09:33:51 2008
How you found us:	I got the URL from the Book 'Sea Room'
Wrote... Got the Dutch version of the book on dec. 6th (Sinterklaas). Now, dec.9th. I almost finished it. What an opportunity to learn more about nature, geology and history of this part of Scotland. Visited the outer Hebrides a couple of years ago and I'm glad to learn more by this wonderful book.

Name:	Nick Spurling
E-Mail:	nick_AT_spurling_DoT_com
Town:	Berkhamsted
Country:	UK
Date:	Tue Nov 18 00:46:15 2008
How you found us:	Other
Wrote... Just a line or two to say many thanks for the truly poetic gem of a book, Sea Room which I read very slowly as I didn't want to finish it. Hopefully will visit the Shiant Iles some day.Meanwhile must read all your other books!

Name:	Walt McCarthy
E-Mail:	waltmcc1_AT_prodigy_DoT_net
Town:	Long Lake, Minnesota
Country:	U.S.A.
Date:	Mon Oct 20 14:22:58 2008
How you found us:	Word of mouth
Wrote... My wife and I have been visiting Scotland each year for a long time, and we always spend our last week on Islay. We heard about the Shiants there. Then I read the book and want to know more about the digs that are going on. I notice the next entry is from another McCarthy-no relation that I know of--but she might be able to find the islands on GoogleEarth. I am going to try it next. Walt McCarthy.

Name:	Susan McCarthy
E-Mail:	eemccart_AT_indstate_DoT_edu
Town:	Terre Haute, Indiana
Country:	USA
Date:	Fri Sep 12 14:33:34 2008
How you found us:	Search Engine
Wrote... Now I looked at your map and see the Islands are West of the North End of Scotland. (I don't know why my Atlas gave me map references in the North Sea.)

Name:	Susan McCarthy
E-Mail:	eemccart_AT_indstate_DoT_edu
Town:	Terre Haute, Indiana
Country:	USA
Date:	Fri Sep 12 14:22:06 2008
How you found us:	Search Engine
Wrote... Our senior citizen center book club chose to read "Sea Room" for this month. I am trying to get a visual image of where the islands are in relation to Scotland. My Atlas seems to show them closer to England than Scotland? Thank you for your book. I was impressed how much you could enjoy nature. Then last night I heard a lecture on gratefulness and plan to look at our own nature with gratefulness. I believe it will bring me closer to your deep appreciation of nature. Thank you for your wonderful book. Susan McCarthy

Name:	Caroline Jones
E-Mail:	caroline_AT_ospreyindexing_DoT_co_DoT_uk
Town:	Lea Bridge
Country:	England
Date:	Wed Aug 20 20:29:33 2008
How you found us:	Search Engine
Wrote... I'm reading "Sea Room" and have just finished the chapter about the puffins. We've heard a lot about puffin populations in the UK declining in the past couple of years. I wondered how the population there is faring? Best wishes, Caroline

Name:	Jane & Paul Prince
E-Mail:	janeprince_AT_btinternet_DoT_com
Town:	Staffordshire Moorlands
Country:	England
Date:	Sat Aug 16 15:34:43 2008
How you found us:	Search Engine
Wrote... We visited the islands on 5th June 2008 with Hebridean Whale Cruises in their RHIB boat from Gairloch. We saw dozens of different bird types, as well as harbour porpoise, seal, minke whale and common dolphin. Exciting boat trip to beautiful and fascinating islands.

Name:	Tom and Mairi Fuller
E-Mail:	tommfuller at gmail dot com
Town:	Aberdeenshire
Country:	UK
Date:	Sat Aug 2 10:09:00 2008
How you found us:	Search Engine
Wrote... We visited the Shiants on the 31st July on our honeymoon (and Mairi's birthday!) having read Sea Room. We visited by RIB from Staffin, and saw two basking sharks and porpoises as well as a huge school of mackerel and sea birds beyond count. We had lunch by the cairn on Eilean an Tighe. An absolutely stunning day - thank you!

Name:	Roger Barfoot
E-Mail:	rogerbarfoot_AT_btinternet_DoT_com
Town:	Basingstoke
Country:	England
Date:	Fri Aug 1 18:51:37 2008
How you found us:	I got the URL from the Book 'Sea Room'
Wrote... Have just finished reading 'Sea Room'It made me feel that I have stayed on the Shiants,thankyou for the wonderful journey A beautiful poetic story of those lovely proud Isle. Long may stay that way.

Name:	John Weir
E-Mail:	cushing_AT_bmts_DoT_com
Town:	Southampton, Ontario
Country:	Canada
Date:	Mon Jul 28 14:23:08 2008
How you found us:	I got the URL from the Book 'Sea Room'
Wrote... Captivating book. Mysterious and enlightening. Makes me want to visit, maybe someday. Currently reading a history of Lewis lent to me by Annie MacIver previous registrar for Lewis (1950's 60's)

Name:	Lynn Robinson
E-Mail:	lynnr23_AT_googlemail_DoT_com
Town:	Dundee
Country:	Scotland
Date:	Sun Jul 27 12:44:25 2008
How you found us:	A link from another site
Wrote... I've just returned from my first visit to Gairloch where I went on on a whale watching cruise. It was while booking the cruise I first found out about the Shiant Islands. I bought 'Sea Room' in Gairloch, it's an absolutely amazing book and I cant wait to return there to take the Hebridean Cruise round the Shiants!!

Name:	Alexander F. Wilson
E-Mail:	a_DoT_f_DoT_wilson_AT_mail_DoT_com
Town:	Phoenix, Maryland
Country:	USA
Date:	Thu Jul 10 04:50:16 2008
How you found us:	Search Engine
Wrote... Sea Room was one of the most beautifully written books I've ever come across. Thank you Adam Nicolson for hours of sheer poetry!

Name:	Ann Harthill
E-Mail:	annharthill_AT_btinternet_DoT_com
Town:	Dundee
Country:	UK
Date:	Fri Jun 27 04:25:04 2008
How you found us:	Word of mouth
Wrote... I visited the Shiants on 21 June with The Island Book Trust and loved it. Normally a very buttoned up person, I found it emotionally overwhelming. Brought up on the island of Lewis, we used to see the Shiants from the steamer 'Loch Seaforth' as we sailed back from school holidays on the mainland. My father would point out the uninhabited 'enchanted' islands; so there was always an air of magic about them. It was wonderful to land there at last. I loved being so close to the puffins too. They are just so solemnly funny. The only sad thing is I've lost my copy of Sea Room to my sister who is now reading it avidly. I've just had to order another as I was half way through a re-read. Thank you so much to Tom for giving permission for the visit and to both for the talk and guiding

Name:	hannah phillips
E-Mail:	hannahaha15_AT_hotmail_DoT_com
Town:	crediton
Country:	devon
Date:	Sun Jun 15 22:40:55 2008
How you found us:	Other
Wrote... i visited the shiants last week on a boat trip- we didnt touch land but pottered about taking pics of the birds from a small rubber motorised boat. Wild, amazing, noisy...got some great pics of fulmar landing on water and puffins clumsily taking off. thinking of seeing if a wild and windy stay would be possible..... thanks alot.

Name:	Susan Lesley Dantinnes
E-Mail:	itszanys_AT_gmail_DoT_com
Town:	Lemreway
Country:	Scotland
Date:	Sun Jun 15 12:31:39 2008
How you found us:	Word of mouth
Wrote... We moved to Lemreway a couple of months ago and love it.Every time we come home on the descent into the village we can see the Shiants and sometimes it seems as though we can touch them they appear to be so close. We can't wait until the 21st June as we are booked on the boat trip from Lemreway to the Shiants with a talk given by Adam beforehand in the Marine Harvest shed.Hopefully good weather shall prevail and we shall be able to walk on the islands.Can't wait !!

Name:	Alex
E-Mail:	zim_sunray_AT_yahoo_DoT_com
Town:	Harare
Country:	Zimbabwe
Date:	Mon Jun 2 18:21:55 2008
How you found us:	Search Engine
Wrote... Enthralled by your coverage and descriptions. Got lovely pics of puffins out of Wiki. As I was trained as an aero eng. can see immediately that they have wing-loading problems - reminded me of the GeeBee!

Name:	elizabeth Colvin
E-Mail:	lizcolvin_AT_waitrose_DoT_com
Town:	Andover
Country:	england
Date:	Tue May 20 22:39:11 2008
How you found us:	I got the URL from the Book 'Sea Room'
Wrote... Having heard you at Cambridge last September I have been enjoying your books. Have now read Searoom. So glad I can read about it and not have to go there, book glorious but am quite sure that the olive oil and whickey would run out too soon. Not even the idea of all the lobsters can tempt me.

Name:	Ruud Ravenhorst
E-Mail:	rravenh AT xs4all dot nl
Town:	Haarlem/NH
Country:	Netherlands
Date:	Mon May 5 19:25:37 2008
How you found us:	Search Engine
Wrote... Visited the Shiants with a boat from Gairloch. Great!

Name:	Regina M. Belt
E-Mail:	regbel_AT_msn_DoT_com
Town:	Crystal Lake
Country:	United States of America
Date:	Thu Apr 17 21:56:58 2008
How you found us:	A link from another site
Wrote... I will be returning to Harris this summer; it\'s a place of special joy and peace for me......the Shiants were pointed out to me from the ferry and I am delighted that I found this site and know more about them. I intend to go purchase Sea Room now. May life continue on the Shiants as you describe!

Name:	Bob Somers
E-Mail:	bob_DoT_somers_AT_btopenworld_DoT_com
Town:	Tottenham
Country:	UK
Date:	Fri Apr 11 14:06:28 2008
How you found us:	I got the URL from the Book \'Sea Room\'
Wrote... I\'m 50% through reading your book slowly as I don\'t want to miss anything! It\'s a great read and fascinating history.

Name:	Michelle Howe
E-Mail:	michelle_DoT_howe_AT_xtra_DoT_co_DoT_nz
Town:	Maketu, Bay of Plenty
Country:	New Zealand
Date:	Mon Mar 24 03:14:13 2008
How you found us:	I got the URL from the Book \'Sea Room\'
Wrote... Thank you for \"Sea Room\" I live on an estuary looking out to sea on the east coast of New Zealand and your book confirmed for me the joys of such a life where the tides, migratory bird life and the sound of the waves are a balme to the soul. Your book transported me to your own islands and reminded me of my Scottish and Manx heritage- the pull making me want to travel back there again

Name:	Julia Best
E-Mail:	bestjb_AT_Cardiff_DoT_ac_DoT_uk
Town:
Country:	Wales
Date:	Fri Feb 22 22:40:00 2008
How you found us:	Other
Wrote... Dear Adam, Hello. I am a third year archaeology student at cardiff university, and am currently analysing the bird bone remains from the SHIP excavations for my dissertation. I was not sure how best to contact you so I thought I would try here first. I was wondering whether it would be possible for me to use some of the information on this website as introductory material for my final dissertation and for a display poster I am producing for the department? All information would of course be referenced and acknowledged in the documents. The more work I do the more I fall in love with these beautiful Islands. :) Thanks for your time Julia

Name:	John Arthur
E-Mail:	aqod50_AT_dsl_DoT_pipex_DoT_com
Town:	London
Country:	UK
Date:	Tue Feb 19 17:19:26 2008
How you found us:	I got the URL from the Book \'Sea Room\'
Wrote... I am 87, and housebound. I\'ve done quite a lot in my time! For me \"Sea Room\" was an escape. I loved it. Have you time to produce a newsletter to bring us up to date? As a result of reading your book I read your father\'s \"Portrait of a Marriage\" and am now starting \"Seize the Fire\". The nearest I ever got to the Shiants was when I was serving in the Royal Navy. After escorting an Atlantic convoy and before returning to base we would check on our weapons, and go fishing in the Minches with depth charges. A long time ago.

Name:	Bill Smith
E-Mail:	billsmith49_AT_earthlink_DoT_net
Town:	Plainfield, Indiana
Country:	USA
Date:	Sun Feb 3 21:00:38 2008
How you found us:	Search Engine
Wrote... I thoroughly enjoyed reading \"Sea Room\" as well as \"Seize the Fire\". My wife and I are planning another trip to Scotland and if time allows we would like to visit Harris/Lewis. On the ferry from Skye, what is the chance (just a guess, I know) that we can see the Shiants on our ferry trip? Is there a specific ferry trip we should take that would be closer to the Shiants and allow at least a look at them as we go or come? Thanks.

Name:	mary lou bethune
E-Mail:	marylou909_AT_bellsouth_DoT_net
Town:	Hillsborough, North Carolina
Country:	USA
Date:	Fri Jan 25 18:10:06 2008
How you found us:	Other
Wrote... Dear Adam, I wrote before quoting Virginia Woolf to you and praising your Sea Room. I will quote again \" the country is like a convent; the soul rises to the top\". I am sure that your island is that to you. I wonder if you gave the island to your son when he reached 21? Did he want it? Write some more- and read The Water in Between by Keven Patterson- a philosphical sailor doctor Mary Lou Bethune

Name:	Catriona Graham
E-Mail:	catrionadgraham_AT_gmail_DoT_com
Town:	Llanfair Caereinion
Country:	Wales
Date:	Wed Jan 23 10:46:33 2008
How you found us:	Search Engine
Wrote... Apart from being a great read which allows the reader to join you on the Shiants, I am finding it really interesting as my grandfather was a Stewart from Stornoway and his father from Kilmory in Arran, so island people who made their living from the land and sea. I can imagine their life better now, in all its harshness and also peace and beauty. I think that the Minch is a natural limiter of what we all fear, an excess of visitors who are not of the adventurous doughty and considerate sort!Catriona

Name:	Gerald MacAlpine
E-Mail:	gmacalpine_AT_ns_DoT_sympatico_DoT_ca
Town:	Halifax, Nova Scotia
Country:	Canada
Date:	Fri Jan 18 00:59:40 2008
How you found us:	I got the URL from the Book \'Sea Room\'
Wrote... Just finished reading the book and enjoyed it all. The mention of \"lazy beds\" brought back memories of helping my father make his when he was planting potatoes in wet ground. How they got the \"lazy\" name, I don\'t know because it is one tough way to plant a garden. I have always had an interest in Scotland and have visited parts of it when I was in the navy, actually my first foreign port was Lamlash! My grandmother was a Morrison but her branch of the clan was from Durness and her grandfather came from there in 1827. I also have the book, \"Seize the Fire\" which I haven\'t got to read yet.

Name:	Esme Boone
E-Mail:	boone_1_AT_sympatico_DoT_ca
Town:	Kenora, Ontario
Country:	Canada
Date:	Tue Jan 15 01:30:26 2008
How you found us:	Search Engine
Wrote... I live in Canada, and have visited the Hebrides four times in five years (Lewis mainly). A friend, knowing how I love this place, gave me The Sea Room for Christmas. I am still reading (and loving) it. I was looking for some good pictures of it as the photos in the book don\'t have any explanations beside them. I love Ann Bowkes\' photos, they really make one feel that one has been there. Thank you Ann Thank you for the book Mr Nicolson

Name:	Barry Greenwood
E-Mail:	barry_DoT_d_DoT_greenwood_AT_btinternet_DoT_com
Town:	Cullingworth, West Yorkshire
Country:	England
Date:	Thu Dec 27 12:52:39 2007
How you found us:	I got the URL from the Book \'Sea Room\'
Wrote... I first saw your islands from the deck of HMS Glasgow in the 50\'s, bound for Invergordon. Fascinated by them at the time and since during trips to Lewis. I enjoyed your book very much indeed.

Name:	Tim
E-Mail:	timaroy_AT_yahoo_DoT_co_DoT_uk
Town:	Buckhaven
Country:	Scotland
Date:	Thu Dec 27 12:12:47 2007
How you found us:	Search Engine
Wrote... Had this book for ages and its still one of my favourites, one day Ill visit the islands and I\'ll be taking this book with me

Name:	andrew preston
E-Mail:	andrew_AT_824_DoT_com_DoT_au
Town:	rozelle
Country:	australia
Date:	Sun Dec 23 05:44:06 2007
How you found us:	A link from another site
Wrote... Thankyou for \"Sea Room\"

Name:	John Sayles
E-Mail:	JWSAYL_AT_hotmail_DoT_com
Town:	Poland Spring, Maine
Country:	USA
Date:	Tue Dec 4 20:59:16 2007
How you found us:	I got the URL from the Book \'Sea Room\'
Wrote... Greetings! I finished reading \"Sea Room\" earlier today and decided to check out the website out of a desire to prolong the Shiant experience just a little longer. Well done...I especially enjoyed Ann Bowker\'s photos of her visit. Adam, I loved your book and can think of only one question: Did you ever locate the William Norrie photos...or any photos for that matter...of the Campbell family? Thank you and good luck!

Name:	Jack Street
E-Mail:	Jackjeeppy_AT_aol_DoT_com
Town:	Sheffield
Country:	England
Date:	Sun Nov 18 21:18:33 2007
How you found us:	Other
Wrote... Hi I saw you on tv and just thought about looking at the Shiant Is ,very interesting as I am an Ornithologist and Bird ringer maybe I can visit one day Jack

Name:	Geza Gaspardy
E-Mail:	geza1954_AT_hotmail_DoT_com
Town:	Milton, Ontario
Country:	Canada
Date:	Thu Nov 8 15:02:49 2007
How you found us:	Other
Wrote... I searched Shiants on Google and found a place marker for this site. What a delight to find this web site and dream of the possibility of visiting these islands! I am less than half way into \"Sea Room\" and have difficulty putting it down each night before sleep. Splendid! Thank you Mr. Nicholson. Geza

Name:	Amanda Dawe
E-Mail:	wedgeisland_DoT_com_DoT_au
Town:	via lancelin
Country:	Western Australia
Date:	Wed Nov 7 09:06:41 2007
How you found us:	I got the URL from the Book \'Sea Room\'
Wrote... Just finished your book, I struggled on and off, sped through some bits, skipped some, and was carried away by other bits, to me it was a little disjointed and was left with the thought that you had heaps more to say, but bit your tongue, got to the end and I got it! I suppose its a guy thing though, size!!! If you own a little plot, an acre or an Island or two its not the size that matters its what you do with it! And I think you can be proud of what you are doing with your \"bit\' We love our little island that we live adjacent to and the family have fished here for 30 years and our children and grandchildren now see it everyday and thats nice...something continuing....

Name:	John Simpson
E-Mail:	jonrussim_AT_waitrose_DoT_com
Town:	Framlingham
Country:	England
Date:	Sun Oct 28 19:57:02 2007
How you found us:	I got the URL from the Book \'Sea Room\'
Wrote... A wonderful book, leaving me with more to ponder than many on more pretentious themes. (Ex-Navy - first winter of the war in Sullom Voe in the Shetlands, next two at Scapa Flow in the Orkneys ...)

Name:	Rob Thomas
E-Mail:	rbt_AT_klikhome_DoT_com
Town:	Richmond, VA
Country:	USA
Date:	Fri Oct 12 05:37:52 2007
How you found us:	I don\'t remember
Wrote... Am reading Seamanship (or sea, man, ship). Great writing! Being of Welsh, Irish, Scots and English descent, I best get over there and have a look before too long. An avid sailor, I have been thinking to do a tour round Ireland of the lighthouses and lightships referenced on the Commissioner of Irish Lights website. By sea of course. Anyone interested?

Name:	William Smiton
E-Mail:	notimsw_AT_hotmail_DoT_com
Town:	Ballyclare
Country:	Co Antrim, N Ireland.
Date:	Tue Oct 2 12:58:09 2007
How you found us:	Search Engine
Wrote... I bought \"Sea Room\" on a visit to Skye in July and found it to be one of the best researched and interesting books I have read and one which engaged with my love of islands and wildlife as well as encompassing a strong sense of history. Found your site after doing an internet search so still learning about the islands which incidentaly featured briefly on the TV series \"Coast\" Now have an ambition to visit as soon as possible.

Name:	SUSAN WALTER
E-Mail:	redsusan_AT_nycap_DoT_rr_DoT_com
Town:	schenectady new york state
Country:	usa
Date:	Sun Sep 30 19:17:06 2007
How you found us:	A link from another site
Wrote... Dear Mr. Nicolson, Once again I\'ve been able to visit your beloved Shaints via \"cyber-trip.\" Have read Sea Room,as has my husband, we\'ve visited Scotland, Skye, Harris and Lewis, and I gazed happily upon your islands in 2004. Today, it was a new thrill to review the archeological findings. So very happy you have ongoing funding. A very deeply felt \"Thank you \" for sharing the findings here! It may interest you to know, I sit in upstate new York, beside a window overlooking my backyard, where there are many red flowers, inspired by your wife Sarah\'s books. I wish you well, always. Susan

Name:	Sheila Harrington
E-Mail:	sheilajane44_AT_hotmail_DoT_com
Town:	Hobart
Country:	Tasmania, Australia
Date:	Sat Sep 29 06:43:07 2007
How you found us:	Word of mouth
Wrote... I have never really gotten the Shiant Isands out of my mind since reading Sea Room. I love to think of them often and imagine being there.

Name:	john lehman
E-Mail:	johnelehman57_AT_msn_DoT_com
Town:	Springfield, Virginia
Country:	USA
Date:	Thu Sep 27 21:50:09 2007
How you found us:	Search Engine
Wrote... I just sent this message to a friend of mine who loves islands: You will love this book, Jim. Guaranteed, or money back! It is the most unbelievably articulate book about his experiences in the Shiants--a combination of facts and ideas--about the \"inherent sanctity\" of islands, his attempts to \"dig out\" literally the islands\' past, the wild weather and seas, the beauty of the wildflowers, the birds, the views, and most of all of the solitary life there, without all the noise of civilization. His sense of living where people have lived for thousands of year, but now are gone--who were these people, what was their life like? I am very familiar with this part of the world, and to a lesser extent you are too, but you in particular are drawn to islands(now I am too!). He talks about things or ideas we may have missed in our wanderings, or accentuates thoughts we may have just started to think about. Sea currents, religious life, shipwrecks, life on the bigger islands of Lewis and Harris (where we went together in 1994 I believe). He breathes life and drama into every rock, every discovery, every season, and especially what it means metephysically, philosophically to be on an island, (e.g., life surrounded by a sea of death). His erudition, literary style, enthusiasm about just what you love will enchant you. And I\'m not yet halfway through the book. Even if you never go there, you\'ll feel like you have. Is it possible to visit these islands? I travel in Britain every year, especially in Wester Ross, Sutherland, and the Western Isles and Northern Isles and am familair with many of the book\'s references--but have never even seen the Shiants. Thanks. John Lehman

Name:	Tim Lodge
E-Mail:	webmaster_AT_shiantisles_DoT_net
Town:	Bray
Country:	UK
Date:	Tue Sep 4 17:08:59 2007
How you found us:	Other
Wrote... Just starting a fresh page in the guest book. To see entries earlier than 24 August 2007, please follow the link above the guest book form.

Name:	Tim Lodge
E-Mail:	webmaster_AT_shiantisles_DoT_net
Town:	Bray
Country:	UK
Date:	Tue Sep 4 17:07:46 2007
How you found us:	Other
Wrote... Just starting a fresh page in the guest book. To see entries earlier than 24 August 2007, please follow the link above the guest book form.