A Beacon in Treacherous Waters
Bishop Rock is the smallest island in the world, and one of the most remote locations in the British Isles. Open to the full force of the Atlantic Ocean, the original lighthouse tower was swept away in 1850 and had to be rebuilt. The present building was completed in 1858.
In medieval times, criminals were rowed out to the island and left on the rock to die (with just a loaf of bread and a Bible).
The lighthouse was converted to automatic operation in 1991, and the lighthouse keepers departed the following year. Up to four visitors can stay there for one to three weeks.
(Via)
Nicholas wrote,
That’s fascinating. I had heard of Bishop Rock but I knew nothing about it. Thank you for that.
Link | January 6th, 2008 at 1:58 am
Pit wrote,
Talk about a get away vacation- very cool.
Link | January 11th, 2008 at 10:06 pm
sama wrote,
that sound like the best place to go i would love to go there if i could but im on the othside of the world.
Link | February 19th, 2009 at 3:11 am
Bea wrote,
wouldn’t ROCKALL be the smallest island ?
located 425 km. NW of Ireland
Link | April 7th, 2009 at 5:37 am
PJ wrote,
Hi Bea, thanks for your comment.
Apparently there is different criteria for uninhabited vs inhabited places to be categorised officially as an island (rather than just a mound of rock), but according to Wikipedia Bishops Rock has the record for being “the smallest island with a building on it in the world” – however, I can’t verify that information online as Guiness don’t list that info on their website.
Link | April 7th, 2009 at 11:29 pm