Island82 – Adventures with Purpose

Britain is not one island – it’s thousands.

Among them are 82 islands over five square kilometres, identified by the fabulous Ordnance Survey who produced a beautiful relief map of all of them.

Island82 is my challenge:

To visit all 82 and find an adventure on each. It might be cycling around Mull to watch out for whales along the Hebridean Whale Trail, or snorkelling above the seagrass beds of Eigg. Maybe walking the coastline of Skye or kayaking with seals amongst the kelp beds off St Mary’s. Whatever – the purpose of these adventures is to find what’s special about each and every islands. 

Why are islands special?

They may hold unique habitats, globally important seabird colonies, and protected marine areas. Some are the last strongholds of distinct cultures and languages. Many are geologically remarkable, carrying the story of our planet’s formation in their rocks and shorelines.

But they are also on the frontline. When change comes, they feel it first.

Rising seas can erase habitats in a single season – a lost colony could mean a lost species. Or storms can mean catastrophic economic loss. A cancelled ferry strands food, livestock, medicine.

Human migration has left islands unpopulated or unviable, or diluted fragile cultures.

When I step on an island I get a huge sense that islands are on our frontline, and when change comes they feel it first.

Rising seas can erase habitats in a single season – a lost colony could mean a lost species.

A cancelled ferry strands food, livestock, medicine.

Depopulation can mean the end of island viability, whilst overtourism affects others.

Yet islands adapt. They are living examples of resilience, at the forefront of facing climate breakdown, biodiversity loss, and social upheaval.

I always leave an island feeling enriched and hopeful – full of stories of resilience and innovation – or reaching back to traditional ways of tackling modern-day issues. Islanders are so much more in tune with their environment and their community than much of what I have experienced on the mainland.

My hope is that I’ll inspire you to take on these adventures too and discover for yourself what these places are special and deserve our attention. I’d also like you to take one step further – and once you are there and can see for yourself you’ll want to tread more lightly or support the island’s activities to protect and enhance its natural and human world.

I’ll be talking to islanders and understanding from them what makes their place so special, and how visitors can help.

I’m thinking citizen science – marine litter counting, species counting, whale watching and more. Also volunteering. I had one of the best weeks ever at the North Ronaldsay Sheep Festival helping locals rebuild the stone wall that uniquely determines the livelihood of so many on that island.