Gometra Press

Gometra Press was founded by writer, artist and dissident Roc Sandford, who has held the island of Gometra since 1992. Our publications explore the intersections of nature, protest, remoteness, and radical ideas for dangerous times — addressing climate and nature collapse, mitigation and adaptation, and self-reliance.

Roc Sandford is a writer, climate & nature dissident, and organic farmer. He is a member of Ocean Rebellion and Hard Art collectives, and lives between his off-grid Hebridean island and London. A mathematical geographer by training, he is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and has presented on climate and nature collapse to multilateral bodies, government, finance, and academia.

He is a co-founder of Writers Rebel, the David Graeber Institute, Absurd Intelligence, and Catalysers, and directs Mathematical Sciences UK and community arts charity Gerry's Pompeii.

Gometra is a small, rugged island located in the Inner Hebrides off the west coast of Scotland, positioned west of the Isle of Mull. It is characterised by dramatic landscapes including rocky shores, hills, and abundant wildlife.

The island's name originates from Old Norse, reflecting the Viking heritage of the region. During medieval times, it belonged to the Kingdom of the Isles under Norse-Gaelic rulers, later coming under Scottish clan control, particularly the Macleans of Mull.

The traditional island economy relied on crofting, fishing, and small-scale farming. Like other Hebridean islands, Gometra experienced significant population decline from the 19th–20th centuries due to the Highland Clearances and economic hardship. The Scottish author and poet Sorley MacLean spent time on the island, drawn to its isolated, serene environment.

Today the island remains sparsely populated, with ecological and cultural preservation efforts ongoing.