'The Unsoiling of Rockall' – Toberonochy, Scotland - Atlas Obscura

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'The Unsoiling of Rockall'

Toberonochy, Scotland

A plaque installed underwater marks the fall of a royal family from an imagined parallel universe—part of a globe-spanning art project. 

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Since 2003, artist Eames Demetrios has been installing monuments all over the world. But instead of honoring events that have taken place on this planet, these monuments hold stories from Kcymaerxthaere, which Demetrios describes as “a parallel universe that intersects with much of our linear Earth, but with different stories, creatures, peoples, even laws of physics and qualities of existence.” 

These informative markers and historical sites are supposedly located at places in our world that connect to his world, creating real world intersections with Demetrios’s imagined universe. Getting to this particular marker in the waters of Scotland takes a bit of commitment.

First there is one or two hours ride in a Zodiac from Oban. Then you have to dive in about 60 feet of water in a protected inlet next to the Garvellach Islands.  The water is cold, so you may want to take our word for this one. (If you are an experienced diver with a buddy, you might be able to visit, but be careful.)

According to the lore, the Unsoiling of Rockall was an incredible act of non-violent civil disobedience that had profound and unintended consequences. The overthrow was led by a figure named Mlates gi Dunhuira, who appears on several other Kcymaerxthaere plaques around the world.

Know Before You Go

It is off the Garvallach Islands, about an hour's steaming from Oban. It is 60 feet below the surface

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July 20, 2016

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