Check out SEA ROOM: An Island Life, by Adam Nicolson, published by HarperCollins, London, 2001. Non-fiction, its about a group of three tiny islands called the Shiant Isles which are part of the Scottish Hebrides. Uninhabited for 100 years, the islands have a rich folklore and history. The author apparently divides his life between London and his house on the islands and this book is his attempt to, as he states: "tell the whole story, as I now understand it, of a tiny place, in as many dimensions as possible: geologically,spiritually,botanically,historically,culturally,aesthetically,ornithologically,etymologically,emotionally,politically,socially,archeologically and personally." His descriptions of the islands, the sea, the birdlife, sailing to and from the mainland are a delight to anyone who has 'messed about in boats'.