HomeNews Great Britain Extreme Points Yorkshire Extreme Points Book Sales Biography Scottish Islands Slept On What Is An Island Island Man Magazine RockallContact

Biography

My name is Andy Strangeway, a.k.a. Island Man. I was born in 1965, in a small Yorkshire Wolds village; all my forefathers were Wolds’ farm workers.

At the age of 19, I became a self-employed decorator and by the time I was 23, I had begun to travel independently, extensively all over the world.

In September 2003, I embarked upon my adventure to become the first person not only to land but also sleep on all of Scotland’s 162 islands that are 40 hectares and above, firmly believing that the islands would allow me to spend a night with each one of them. This I completed on 29th August 2007 when I left Soay, St. Kilda.

Because my name Strangeway originates from "strang was" meaning "a person who lives in a place prone to flooding by strong wash” upon completion Strangeway Bagging was established. A Strangeway being, "to sleep overnight on a Scottish island that is 40 hectares and above"

Some of the notable firsts that I have achieved are:-

1. 28 August 2007 – The first person to land on all of Scotland’s 162 islands that are 40 hectares and above.
2. 29 August 2007 – The first person to sleep on all of Scotland’s 162 islands that are 40 hectares and above.
3. 8 August 2009 – The first person to land the four extreme points of Scotland.
4. 6 February 2011 – The first person to sleep on the seven extreme points of Yorkshire.
5. 31 August 2011 – The first person to sleep at the six extreme points of Great Britain, solo, on six consecutive nights.
6. 2 October 2011 – The first person to sleep on all five of Lancashire’s extreme county points, solo, on five consecutive nights.

None of the above six feats have been repeated. I look forward to meeting anyone who does.

Island Man Photos Save the Cultural Heritage of the East Riding of Yorkshire