Mike Tomkies - where is he now?

tinsoldier · #1 (**permalink**) 08-08-2008, 10:58 AM

Folks

I'm trying to find the wherabouts of Mike Tomkies,the celebrated naturalist and writer.I've just finished another book of his and really i'm curious as to how he is keeping these days - he must be into his 80's by now.

Thanks

TS.

Lance Morgan · #2 (**permalink**) 08-08-2008, 11:09 AM

'naturist'

tinsoldier · #3 (**permalink**) 08-08-2008, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lance Morgan

'naturist'

Edited now - wheres the DOH! smilie?!

Lance Morgan · #4 (**permalink**) 08-08-2008, 11:35 AM

I think he's still on his remote 'wildernesse' island in scotland. He probably is a naturist at times.

ron1863 · #5 (**permalink**) 08-08-2008, 08:02 PM

He was born in May 1928, 80 years young and still alive, I think.

larachmor · #6 (**permalink**) 09-08-2008, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tinsoldier

Folks

I'm trying to find the wherabouts of Mike Tomkies,the celebrated naturalist and writer.I've just finished another book of his and really i'm curious as to how he is keeping these days - he must be into his 80's by now.

Thanks

TS.

I too am a keen Mike Tomkies reader, and have most of his books.
He left his remote Highland home at "Wildernesse" in the early 90's then lived in the village of Hawick in the Scottish Borders for many years, but I seem to recall that he moved to Sussex fairly recently. He is still alive in his 80's, having overcome a battle with bowel cancer. I think he has very recently released another book, which is a compendium of his earlier books.
If you are interested - his "Wildernesse" home, (which I worked out many years ago by little clues in his books) is marked on the Ordnance Survey maps as "Gaskan" which is on the northern shores of Loch Shiel near Glenfinnan. During summer they run wildlife cruises along the loch from the Glenfinnan hotel, and this takes you past his former home.

Dillibags · #7 (**permalink**) 14-08-2008, 10:05 AM

That's lovely to know that he's still alive..........I first discovered his books about 20 years ago, my first one was about Scottish Wild Cats, fantastic photos. I must get them out and read again!

Moobli · #8 (**permalink**) 23-09-2008, 09:19 PM

As you may be able to tell from my username I am a big Mike Tomkies (and German Shepherd!) fan. I met Mike a couple of years ago, after being in touch with him by letter and telephone. He now lives in a remote farmhouse in Sussex, and is still alive, although with failing health.

I have visited Gaskan or "Wildernesse" a number of times and adore that area.

eeyore · #9 (**permalink**) 25-09-2008, 10:19 PM

His location is at a ruined farmhouse and nature reserve near henfield in west sussex- i think you can write to him via his publishers if you wish.

his most recent book was "rare, wild, and free" which differed slightly from his previous books in that it was a look back at the various species he has worked with in his life.

BTW in my opinion it is a great shame that people have identified the location of wildernesse and posted it in cyberspace (note i'm not blaming anyone here as it is also on wiki) as tomkies went to great lengths to disguise his true location so that eggers couldnt use his books to locate golden eagle erries, diver nests etc.

canny · #10 (**permalink**) 29-09-2008, 01:13 PM

I think it is fairly common knowledge where it is anyway due to the cruise on Loch Shiel which is designed to take people to this area to see the cottage.

The DVD Last of the Scottish Wildcats' by Coffee films is due out very soon and can be preordered features some film of Mike I do belive.
Have a Google and you should find some info and a clip from the DVD. It looks fantastic. I can't wait for mine to arrive.

hammock monkey · #11 (**permalink**) 03-10-2008, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canny

The DVD Last of the Scottish Wildcats' by Coffee films is due out very soon and can be preordered features some film of Mike I do belive.
Have a Google and you should find some info and a clip from the DVD. It looks fantastic. I can't wait for mine to arrive.

I've been a big fan since he was recommended to me by someone on this site. Can't speak highly enough of him. The love he had/ has for the Wildcats he bred and raised was very touching, and made for a great read.... the image of the 'hairless mouse' getting bitten will make me chuckle forever

Can't wait to get my copy of the dvd, i'm hoping to get at least one more for family members - i can't wait to hear my Grandads verdict on Tomkies Wildcat haven book.
I'm sure i read on the back cover of one of his books some kind of contact info/ writing address for him. A letter or two in the post thanking him and offering recognition of his achievements would be appreciated by him i'm sure. I cant remember which book it is - not a bad idea to buy em all

Isn't he running a small nature reserve? Think I might stick a donation in, he deserves it.

ChrisJB · #12 (**permalink**) 04-10-2008, 05:54 PM

Thanks to all who have contributed to this thread. Whilst I was familiar with Mike Tomkies, I had never got round to reading his books, until now. I have just bought 'On Wing and Wild Water', am part way through it and thoroughly enjoying it.
Wildlife in wild places is the best of the lot for me and this book really taps into that.

Regards, Chris

eeyore · #13 (**permalink**) 07-10-2008, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisJB

Thanks to all who have contributed to this thread. Whilst I was familiar with Mike Tomkies, I had never got round to reading his books, until now. I have just bought 'On Wing and Wild Water', am part way through it and thoroughly enjoying it.
Wildlife in wild places is the best of the lot for me and this book really taps into that.

Regards, Chris

nice one chris - be aware tho that on wing and wild water is the second in the eagle series - the first is "golden eagle years" and the last " last eagle years"

I'd also highly reccomend "a last wild place" and "Wildcat haven"

Also if you can find a copy (now out of print) " alone in the wilderness" which covers tomkies early adventures in canada before he goes to scotland.

larachmor · #14 (**permalink**) 09-10-2008, 11:14 AM

Regarding the view that it is a shame to have identified Mike Tomkies' Wildernesse (Gaskan on Loch Shiel) with the possibility of identifying eagle sites etc. If anybody were to try - best of luck, the terrain around Loch Shiel and the distances involved make it extremely unlikely. (even so, there are books available that will identify eagle eyries with a six-figure map reference!!) I was reading Mike Tomkies' books in the years he was actually living there. I think it was around 1992 that he left. Whenever I read them I was always curious as to where he was living, and each time he gave a clue (and there were quite a few) I would note them down, and I eventually reduced it to two lochs - Loch Shiel or Loch Morar. The clincher came in his references to "Guardian Mountain" to the north of his cottage. A check of the OS map revealed a hill called Beinn Gaire. Years later, I took a mountain-bike ride down the forestry track on the southern side of the loch - and looked across to Gaskan on the far side. This indeed was his "Wildernesse". That's as far as I went, though, in his later books he commented on those who infringed on his privacy - with some turning up in boats, and some who actually walked to the cottage. Now in his 80's - he had quite a battle with bowel cancer. My only regret was that much of his (motion) work was done with 16mm cine cameras - had he had access to the modern lightweight video camera and all the technology that goes with it, he would have provided something really special. As a wildlife author - one of the best.

ChrisJB · #15 (**permalink**) 11-10-2008, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eeyore

nice one chris - be aware tho that on wing and wild water is the second in the eagle series - the first is "golden eagle years" and the last " last eagle years"

I'd also highly reccomend "a last wild place" and "Wildcat haven"

Also if you can find a copy (now out of print) " alone in the wilderness" which covers tomkies early adventures in canada before he goes to scotland.

In fact I've gone all Mike Tomkies crazy of late. Just arrived in the post today, is 'A Last Wild Place', 'Out of the Wild' and 'Between Earth and Paradise'. An added thrill, is that my 'Between Earth and Paradise' is signed by the author. I certainly wasn't aware of this when I ordered it and it cost peanuts (second-hand).
Thanks for a few pointers on the chronology of the books Eeyore. I've been having a bit of trouble working it out. I was just about to start with 'Out of the Wild', until I realised it was a follow up to 'A Last Wild Place'.

Regards, Chris

earthdragon64 · #16 (**permalink**) 15-10-2008, 06:43 PM

I've read a few of Mike Tomkies books, including "Alone in the Wilderness", being a relief librarian has its uses!

Don't forget your local library when looking for out of print books, even if your own library service doesn't have a copy, for Non-Fiction books they may still be able to get it from other library areas using the Inter-Library-Loan service. Usually there is a small charge for this, in Highland Libraries this is the cost for postage of the book up to a maximum £10.00 for really heavy books, other councils may have a different fee structure

Maria1970s · #17 (**permalink**) 13-11-2008, 04:22 PM

Hi All,
I randomly decided this morning to perform a search for Mike and I am very happy to have discovered this site. I corresponded with Mike for about a year or two in the mid 1970's. I live in the USA and Mike and I became very close. Although he is more than 30 yrs older than I am a romance blossomed. He came to visit me when I was 19. He stayed with my parents for 2 nights and asked me to marry him. He bought an old milk truck with the plan to drive around the USA and Canada. I turned down his marriage proposal based on our extreme difference in age but ohhhhh how I dreamed of him and his life in the wilds of Scotland. I was fortunate to visit him in Arasig (sp) but the visit was short (I was travelling with my grandmother and some friends). We lost contact and until now I have never known what became of him. I am very happy to hear that he is indeed alive and I hope well after his bout with cancer. I also hope that if anyone here has contact with him that they will remind him of the time he proposed to an American girl with long dark hair and large brown eyes sometime in the 1970's

ChrisJB · #18 (**permalink**) 14-11-2008, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maria1970s

Hi All,
I randomly decided this morning to perform a search for Mike and I am very happy to have discovered this site. I corresponded with Mike for about a year or two in the mid 1970's. I live in the USA and Mike and I became very close. Although he is more than 30 yrs older than I am a romance blossomed. He came to visit me when I was 19. He stayed with my parents for 2 nights and asked me to marry him. He bought an old milk truck with the plan to drive around the USA and Canada. I turned down his marriage proposal based on our extreme difference in age but ohhhhh how I dreamed of him and his life in the wilds of Scotland. I was fortunate to visit him in Arasig (sp) but the visit was short (I was travelling with my grandmother and some friends). We lost contact and until now I have never known what became of him. I am very happy to hear that he is indeed alive and I hope well after his bout with cancer. I also hope that if anyone here has contact with him that they will remind him of the time he proposed to an American girl with long dark hair and large brown eyes sometime in the 1970's

Maria, what a wonderful post and what a great story. I don't know why, but reading this has made my spirits soar. I've only just discovered his books, but am 'devouring' them at a great rate of knots. They are splendid reads and he comes across so well in them. I just wish I'd discovered them sooner.

Regards, Chris

canny · #19 (**permalink**) 15-11-2008, 10:37 AM

Maria and anyone else interested in Mike. I recieved my DVD a few days ago, Last of the Scottish Wildcats by Coffee films. It is a superb documentary and features Mike quite a bit. I really reccommend it, I don't think it is available at outlets you buy direct from coffee films. Mike looks really well and in good spirits.

pat362 · #20 (**permalink**) 15-11-2008, 10:39 PM

I've got all of his books too, plus a personally signed home-made (by him) eagle video I bought from him years ago. It's disintegrated a bit over the years and has now been put onto a DVD for me.

I only disliked one book - Moobli - I found that quite distressing and that's the only one I haven't read again.

I'm glad he's still going strong and hope he's recovered from the cancer he had.

Pat

pat362 · #21 (**permalink**) 15-11-2008, 10:51 PM

Just as a PS - I'm involved in cat rescue on the west coast of scotland. We recently had a litter of nearly-dead kittens in from the wild, one of whom, the vets say, is half Wild Cat. Certainly looks and acts like it, down to the beautiful bushy tail complete with white rings.

Pat

Maria1970s · #22 (**permalink**) 17-11-2008, 04:37 PM

Hi Chris and All

I wonder if anyone can tell me whether Mike ever married and had/has a family? He was actually quite dashing in a rugged, intense sort of way when I knew him. I certainly felt he was searching for a life partner and I hope he found one.

canny · #23 (**permalink**) 18-11-2008, 12:26 PM

I could be wrong but I dont think he ever had a partner.
Maria, I think you can contact him via Whittles publishing.

eeyore · #24 (**permalink**) 18-11-2008, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canny

I could be wrong but I dont think he ever had a partner.
Maria, I think you can contact him via Whittles publishing.

i think youre righ canny - he certainly had a number of partners when he was a journo but after he turned away from that world i was pretty much on his own (apart from the dog).

I suppose its not that suprising - there must be major obstacles to sustaining a relationship if you live 13 miles from the nearest village, 6 from the nearest road, and have no phone or post delivery other than a post resante address in the village.

ChrisJB · #25 (**permalink**) 19-11-2008, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canny

Maria and anyone else interested in Mike. I recieved my DVD a few days ago, Last of the Scottish Wildcats by Coffee films. It is a superb documentary and features Mike quite a bit. I really reccommend it, I don't think it is available at outlets you buy direct from coffee films. Mike looks really well and in good spirits.

Thanks for the info' on this. I'm going to get the missus to get me this for Christmas. I've just seen a bit of the footage of Mike whilst rooting about on the 'net. Do you know if this is fairly recent footage?

Regards, Chris