ULTIMA THOLE

Evening Star, Issue 19614, 21 July 1927, Page 12

ULTIMA THOLE

Foula, tho lonely Shetland i.-dand that is faced with the oroblcra of a, declining population, is supposed to be the Ultima Thule of the ancients from tho analogy of its name. There is, however, better testimony than analogy, for Tacitus, speaking of Agricola’s victories and the distance to v. Inch he penetrated northward, mentions the islands “called Orcadcs,” and adds “ despcctaqnn Thule ” Now, Foula is high ground, and beasts the most formidable precipice in Great Britain, a sheer drop of 1,220 ft to the. sea, or three limes the height of Beachy Head, in the South of England (says the Glasgow ‘ Herald ’). From the northern parts of Hie Orkneys Foula can be easily seen on a clear day, and although, as Hill Burton says, Thule is “ a fugitive name,” is is highly probable that 'be reference in Tacitus is to this island of the Shetland Group. Foula has other points ol interest, for it is the island of the northern group where the old Norse tongue was last spoken: and, besides Un.st, in the extreme north, it is the only haunt in Great. Britain of the great skua, or “bonxie,'’ as the natives call it, which has been saved from extinction only bv the efforts of the Edinondstonc family, of Oust. In the spring of 1891 Mr Thomas Edmomlstone engaged a special keeper- to live for three months, in Henna Ness, a small promontory on Burra Fiord, ton miles north-east of the island of Yell. . The man s instructions wore “to keep watch and ward by night and dav over the skua’s home.” and' the result was that out of nine pairs seven, thanks to careful and ceaseless watching, succeeded in rearing their broods. About the same time 100 pairs appeared on Foula, and, although most of ilia eggs of flis first laying wofo mken, about siyty young were reared.at the second attempt. Mr Edmondstbne’s efforts for the preservation of this imposing but, fierce bird were.:' rewarded' by the "Zoological Society'of London, which presented him with its silver medal.