CIA pinpoints Rockall

We're very pleased this week to print a missive from Tim Eyles, who has found some convincing evidence as to the actual whereabouts of the sacred islet of Rockall. Take it away Tim:

On the subject of "Where the bloody hell is Rockall?" I perused the rather excellent Perry-Castañeda Library of maps and found this:

http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/world_maps/world_physical_2004.pdf [Big file - 4MB plus - so be warned]

I'm pleased to see that the CIA (who produced this map) are rather better at locating remote islets than weapons of mass destruction - better still they clearly acknowledge Rockall's British sovereignty.

Oi, we'll do the WMD jokes around here, mate. Still, here's the proof that the CIA made a better hash of finding Rockall than they did of tracking down Saddam's arsenals of terror, and that they understand clearly who owns the rock:

Marvellous. Big up rispek to the spooks. We should add that this map is ©2004 THE CIA INC., and anyone who reprints it without expressed written permission is liable to be attacked by black helicopter gunships flown by men with mirror sunglasses. You have been warned.

On a closely related topic (Rockall, in fact — again) we also have a lovely letter from, well, read for yourselves:

Hi,

ever typed you surname into Google?? I did an found Rockall Times!!

Can't believe we have such a beautiful Rock associated with our surname!

Just a thing that I was wondering if you can help me with . . . . . Why is it called Rockall Rock?

Look forward to hearing from you.

(p.s love the web site!!!!!!!)

regards
Nicky Rockall

We haven't got the foggiest idea, to be honest, but will apply ourselves to the task of finding out for next week's issue. Readers who wish to contribute our new "Why the bloody hell is Rockall called Rockall?" debate can do so by dropping us a line here.

Previously

• So, where the bloody hell is Rockall?
• Rockall: Visible from space or what?