What County is Rockall in ?

[MM5AHO]

In planning for a trip round Rockall this summer (The Round Rockall Rival Rally), I've been reading a little about that rock.
I note there is the "Island of Rockall Act 1972", and act of parliament incorporating Rockall into "...that part of the United Kingdom known as Scotland..."

In part 1, it states that it "... shall form part of the district of Harris in the County of Inverness, and the law of Scotland shall apply accordingly."

Is Rockall still, therefore, part of the County of Inverness? Or is it part of the County of Highland? And was there an act rescinding or modifying this "Island or Rockall Act 1972" to change anything?

If not, does that mean that Inverness shire lies both sides of the Western Isles?

I see that St Kilda is part of Highland, at least as far as planning permission goes, as planning was granted for a new hotel there, along with a new power station. Wonder if that means the pub will re-open?

 

[lpdsn]

In part 1, it states that it "... shall form part of the district of Harris in the County of Inverness, and the law of Scotland shall apply accordingly."

I guess the subsequent changes must've been covered by the law of Scotland bit.

 

[EdWingfield]

All of UK is now known as Airstrip 1.

 

[NorthUp]

It's now part of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, aka the Western Isles Cooncil.

 

[macd]

I guess the subsequent changes must've been covered by the law of Scotland bit.

Seems so: The [Island of Rockall] Act was amended by the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 to transfer administrative control to the Western Isles Council when Inverness-shire was abolished.

From: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/marine/marine-environment/ecosystems/Rockall

Wiki refers to a 2012 freedom of information answer describing it as part of South Harris Parish. Various treaties and agreements define the 'Exclusive Economic Zone' around Rockall and limitations on it, summarized in the same answer here: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/97923/response/262438/attach/html/3/0109 12.pdf.html

 

[Kelpie]

Slight thread drift, but what's this about a hotel on St Kilda!? I presume it is just the new MoD accommodation block?

 

[NormanS]

We don't actually have Counties any longer. They're now referred to as Regions. (Except Fife, which is the Kingdom of Fife)

Logically (Hah) Rockall would/should be in Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.

 

[MM5AHO]

Some years back I lived further north in Scotland than now. It was a confusing geography for an immigrant like me.
I paid Council tax to Moray.
I voted in Gordon
My postcode was Aberdeen
I was served by Grampian Police and Grampian Fire Brigade.
My address was in Banffshire

So maybe Rockall suffers similarly?

 

[jonjo8]

I am puzzled by the OP's interest in such an esoteric aspect of regional government. Is the Round Rockall Rival Rally planning to anchor off Rockall to setup a Las Vegas style gambling economy or create a new zero VAT flag of convenience?

 

[[70521]]

I'd interested in hearing your account of the trip. I am planing to use Rockall as a turning point, weather permitting, on my circumnavigation of the British Isles.

 

[[70521]]

I am puzzled by the OP's interest in such an esoteric aspect of regional government. Is the Round Rockall Rival Rally planning to anchor off Rockall to setup a Las Vegas style gambling economy or create a new zero VAT flag of convenience?

I can't see Mrs May allowing that.

 

[Fascadale]

I am puzzled by the OP's interest in such an esoteric aspect of regional government. Is the Round Rockall Rival Rally planning to anchor off Rockall to setup a Las Vegas style gambling economy or create a new zero VAT flag of convenience?

I'm pleased that the OP has addressed this issue.

In a seasonal beer drinking session my (hoping to do the RRRR) crew started discussing putting up a flagpole on Rockall. I was concerned with the planning permission implications. It appears from this newspaper article http://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/News/Old-soldier-wins-right-to-put-up-flag-21082012.htm that even mobile/temporary flagpoles attract the attention of the planners.

 

[MM5AHO]

If the weather isn't too rough, there's an excellent chance of anchoring - but probably on Helen's Reef nearby rather than Rockall. Be an interesting anchor thread later on - "My anchor held me while anchored 280 miles offshore" - or some similar silly story!
Some of us are considering landing, some just want to go there, some to circumnavigate the western Isles (wouldn't need to go so far if Rockall was still in Inverness-shire) and so on.
We are four Rivals so far confirmed, and 4 others considering the possibility. There need be no limit, there's enough sea for all.
We have one who has landed and slept there keen to crew on one of the boats. We have yet to work out all the details, but will do before we set out in July.

Of course, clarification of the status of this "island" as the Act of Parliament calls it, will help determine the Brexit status, Independence, free trade concepts, VAT rate (zero?) and so on.

 

[awol]

If the weather isn't too rough, there's an excellent chance of anchoring - but probably on Helen's Reef nearby rather than Rockall. Be an interesting anchor thread later on - "My anchor held me while anchored 280 miles offshore" - or some similar silly story!
Some of us are considering landing, some just want to go there, some to circumnavigate the western Isles (wouldn't need to go so far if Rockall was still in Inverness-shire) and so on.
We are four Rivals so far confirmed, and 4 others considering the possibility. There need be no limit, there's enough sea for all.
We have one who has landed and slept there keen to crew on one of the boats. We have yet to work out all the details, but will do before we set out in July.

Of course, clarification of the status of this "island" as the Act of Parliament calls it, will help determine the Brexit status, Independence, free trade concepts, VAT rate (zero?) and so on.

One burning question that springs to mind - what anchor will you be using?

As to "island" status - if you take a sheep with you, does that fulfill the Haswell-Smith criterion?

 

[boomerangben]

Check the Wikipedia page for Rockall and the picture of the wave hitting it. Good luck with the flagpole!

 

[lpdsn]

Of course, clarification of the status of this "island" as the Act of Parliament calls it, will help determine the Brexit status, Independence, free trade concepts, VAT rate (zero?) and so on.

I think they later agreed with the UN that it was a rock.

 

[Fascadale]

Check the Wikipedia page for Rockall and the picture of the wave hitting it. Good luck with the flagpole!

Great photo!

That's why we thought the flagpole might be a temporary structure.

Unfortunately, and as a total planning virgin, I am not aware of how the planners define "temporary". Our flagpole may stand for a day, it may stand for a hundred days. It might even stand for a thousand days (I think not!)

Would it be apposite to discuss how we might anchor our flagpole, or might that be appalling fred drift?

 

[lpdsn]

That's why we thought the flagpole might be a temporary structure.

Unfortunately, and as a total planning virgin, I am not aware of how the planners define "temporary". Our flagpole may stand for a day, it may stand for a hundred days. It might even stand for a thousand days (I think not!)

Wouldn't some local have to report you to the council? Then probably the worst they could do is make you go back and take it down. You could probably string it out for a couple of years with appeals.

 

[Kelpie]

28 days is the usual limit for a temporary structure- I think your flagpole would be very lucky to last that long!

 

[Slowtack]

http://roundrockallrace.com/