The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Man aims to spend months in ‘loneliest place in the world’
An electronics lecturer is planning to set up camp on a rocky ledge in the Atlantic – for at least 60 days.
Chris Cameron, also known as Cam, will be setting sail for Rockall, a barren islet 230 miles west of North Uist, this week.
Raising money for charity, the 53-year-old plans to spend at least two months perched on a ledge measuring 13ft by 4.9ft.
He hopes to beat the longest occupation record of 45 days set by Nick Hancock in 2014.
The islet in the Atlantic is 101ft long and 55ft tall.
In the winter, waves whipped up by storms are said to make the entire base shake from the impact.
While this may appear to be a hard sell for many, Mr Cameron seems to enjoy the bracing breeze, having trained to take on the challenge previously.
Last June, the former Gordon Highlander set out to live on the rock for one week with GP Dr Chris Grieco and experienced mountaineer James Price.
This time, the former Buckie man aims to stay there longer – and raise £50,000 for the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity and ABF The Soldiers’ Charity.
He said the expedition was inspired by Covid lockdowns.
Mr Cameron told The Guardian: “They made me feel remote, isolated and alone.
“It just got me thinking, can I challenge myself further and do some good? Rockall popped up.
“It’s the most isolated, loneliest place in the world.
“I’m going to challenge myself to do something uncomfortable and really difficult – which is why only five people have ever stayed there for any length of time.
“It’s just an amazing place – the remotest place in the UK.”
This week, the electronics lecturer and former science teacher will set out from Inverkip on the Clyde Coast.
He will be joined by Adrian “Nobby” Styles, a radio operator, and Emil Bergmann, a Bulgarian mountaineer and radio ham, for the first 10 days.
They will help with fundraising by broadcasting worldwide to amateur radio enthusiasts.
After that, the Wiltshire resident will be on his own with supplies, a laptop, a VHF radio, an Iridium satellite terminal and small solar panel.
Current record holder Mr Hancock, advised Mr Cameron to stay busy to combat the “mental games” isolation brings.
He admitted he will be disappointed if he loses his record.
“I always knew it would probably be broken at some point, but I would’ve hoped it would last longer than a decade,” he said.
“But then if Cam does break it, well done.”