Nestled in the middle of the vast and empty North Atlantic Ocean, Rockall might seem like little more than a barren rock rising above the waves, but its strategic importance has caused heated disputes over ownership for decades.

Despite its harsh and desolate location, it has become a symbol of territorial claims – and a challenge for adventurers seeking to test their survival skills in one of the most extreme environments on Earth.

Rockall is a small islet situated approximately 300 miles (480 km) off the west coast of Scotland, and about 200 miles (320 km) from the uninhabited Soay Island in the St Kilda archipelago.

It is little more than a jagged, rocky peak of an extinct volcano, standing at a mere 70 feet (21 metres) high. With a base that measures just over 80 feet (24 metres) wide, this tiny speck of land has sparked a colossal international debate.

The intrigue surrounding Rockall has much to do with its proximity to valuable fishing grounds and potential underwater oil and gas reserves.

In the past few decades, this once-forgotten rock has become a focus of national pride and geopolitical strategy for the UK, Ireland, and Denmark.

The UK was the first to claim Rockall as part of its territory. In 1955, British forces successfully landed on the islet and hoisted the Union Jack, cementing its claim.

Over the years, the UK has maintained that Rockall forms part of Scotland’s territorial waters, and its surrounding waters are essential for the UK’s fishing industry.

Despite the UK’s position, the island’s remote location has meant that it has largely been left to its natural state, with minimal human presence.

However, the British government has made clear that Rockall remains a part of its sovereignty, particularly as geopolitical tensions have grown over the rights to marine resources in the North Atlantic.

To the west, Ireland also asserts its right to the rock, claiming that Rockall lies within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Ireland argues that the island is part of its natural continental shelf and has protested the UK’s ownership in the past, particularly as the country sought to expand its offshore oil exploration and fishing operations in the region.

In 2007, Ireland made its intentions clear by sending a research vessel to the area, in what was widely seen as a statement of defiance against UK claims.

Ireland’s claim to Rockall stems from its proximity and the belief that the rock should fall under its maritime jurisdiction, bolstering its economic potential.

Not to be outdone, Denmark – representing Greenland – has thrown its hat into the ring, claiming that Rockall lies within Greenland’s EEZ.

This claim is based on Denmark’s argument that the rock is part of Greenland’s maritime territory, given its proximity to Greenland’s coastal waters.

While Denmark has not gone as far as launching physical expeditions to assert control over Rockall, its government has expressed interest in the island’s legal status and its implications for resource extraction.

Denmark’s involvement only complicates the situation further, making Rockall not just a remote rock, but a microcosm of competing national interests in the region.

Despite the ongoing territorial dispute, Rockall continues to attract those with a taste for extreme adventure.

In recent years, survivalists and thrill-seekers have attempted to land on the islet, hoping to prove their grit in the face of perilous conditions.

The rock’s inhospitable environment, with its fierce winds and towering waves, makes it a daunting challenge for anyone brave enough to set foot on it.

In 2019, a UK-based adventurer made headlines when he was dropped onto Rockall for a solo expedition, aiming to spend 30 days on the rock and endure its harsh conditions.

Though his venture was ultimately cut short due to bad weather and logistical difficulties, it highlighted the island’s appeal to those testing their physical limits in one of the world’s most isolated locations.

As for the legal situation, the matter of ownership remains unresolved.

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) allows countries to extend their territorial claims into the ocean based on their continental shelf, but Rockall complicates this process.

No country has yet managed to solidify their claim to the rock definitively.

For now, Rockall stands as a mute testament to the stubbornness of national pride and the ongoing scramble for maritime control. Whether it will eventually belong to the UK, Ireland, or Denmark remains to be seen.

But one thing is certain: in the world of geopolitics, even the smallest and most unassuming landmass can hold great power.