The Accidental Rush for Anthrax Island
2,283,935
Published 2021-05-31
Thanks to the boat crew and voice artists!
Location fixer: Vikki McCraw at Locations 365 www.locations365.co.uk/
SOURCES from the National Archives:
WO 188/2783
WO 188/3169
WO 32/20442
DEFE 55/118
DEFE 68/991, 992, 993
One other stories I found but couldn't fit into the video: the government spent a long time trying to work out the legal ramifications of selling the island back. In the end, they agreed to guarantee the cleanup for 150 years, which to me is the strongest evidence that there's nothing dangerous left there: they wouldn't have taken that risk otherwise!
Filmed safely: www.tomscott.com/safe/
🟥 MORE FROM TOM: www.tomscott.com/
(you can find contact details and social links there too)
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All Comments (21)
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This is the first of three videos from the west of Scotland! It's good to be back on the road again. Uh, and back on the water, I guess.
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"I'm not afraid of anthrax because I already live next to a council rubbish dump." That might be the most Scottish thing I've ever heard.
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"I am prepared to offer ÂŁ501 immediately" sounded so much like one of James Veitch's sketches
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"Doesn't have Anthrax Any More" is the best selling point I've ever heard.
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Tom Scott: makes a video 22 minutes later: the "letters from the public wanting to buy it" part is added to and used as a reference in the Gruinard Island Wikipedia page
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Government: We are not selling the island for ÂŁ500 to ANYONE BESIDES THE ORIGINAL OWNER People: Best I can do right now is ÂŁ501
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Tom Scott then: here’s a story Tom Scott now: but that’s not the real story
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Some of the people writing those letters were DEFINITELY taking the piss.
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“April Fools Day is a curse and we should abandon it.” ACCURATE AS ALWAYS!
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Headline: Tom Scott is the person to call about a surprisingly cheap Scottish island.
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So Tom’s the person to talk to about buying a private Scottish island… that’s what I’m taking from this video.
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Dear Lord Vetinari, it has come to my attention that and island on the river Ankh is up for sale for $500. I understand that the island was once used for experimentation by Unseen University, but that doesn't not concern me as I used to live next to their trash heap for several years, and the worst thing I ever saw there were talking mice. I am therefore prepared to offer you a sum of $501 for the island to take it off your hands.
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"Doesn't have anthrax anymore" is a wildly suspicious statement to make while advertising any property you have for sale, let alone an island.
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"Totally anthrax free island, just 500 pounds" sounds hella sketchy, like "asbestos free cereal". Toms "The hidden rules of conversation" video, anyone?
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Tom’s getting surprised by his videos a lot lately. I like the feeling that we’re both learning
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You've created such a well crafted, respected, and valuable body of work on this platform. Thanks for all your hardwork, I'm glad it hasn't gone unnoticed!
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"The press can sometimes gloss over those sorts of details" - Understatement of the year.
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So Tom, you're telling me that I can buy a Scottish island that used to be contaminated with anthrax for 500 pounds? Deal.
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Just want to say I really appreciate you ensuring your videos are appropriately subtitled! Legend!
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i suspect this has brought me nearly as much joy as it did you, thank you for this story
