The Great Priest Island Hideout: Con Men’s Escape to the Summer Isles
Table of contents
- Introduction
- From Financial Scams to Island Life
- The Great Escape to Priest Island
- Island Life: Survival and Reflection
- Ten Months Undetected
- Capture and Imprisonment
- The Legacy of the Priest Island Hideout
- Life After Prison
- A Cautionary Tale
- Priest Island Today
- Conclusion
In the mid-70s, a secluded Scottish island turned into the ultimate refuge for two con men on the run. Ditching their flashy suits and briefcases, Sidney “Jim” Miller and John Bellord embraced the wild for 262 days on Priest Island, part of the Summer Isles that sit in the mouth of Loch Broom. The island is home to pygmy shrews and a large colony of storm petrels, but in 1975, it became home to the two businessmen.
From Financial Scams to Island Life
Miller, 56, and Bellord, 48, arrived on Priest Island after their fraudulent schemes began to crumble. The island life was a far cry from the champagne parties and cocktail hours they enjoyed back in Brighton and with their business associates in the motor racing sponsorship scene. Living in three tents sheltered within a ruined bothy, they survived on storm petrel omelettes and peat tea.
Bellord later reflected on the impact of their time on the island, saying it reaffirmed their belief in simple things and helped clear away the clutter that had filled their minds.
The Great Escape to Priest Island
A manhunt for the pair commenced in September 1975 after they left their Sussex home with two black attache cases, believed to be filled with cash. They took a helicopter to Calais, France, and then a boat back to Dover, England. From there, their friend, Geoff Green, drove them to the west coast of Scotland in a Ford Cortina estate.
The group made a rough landing on Priest Island after crossing from Dundonnell in a rib boat. Bellord’s briefcase full of money survived the journey. Green later wrote about their adventure in a book called Paying for the Past.
Island Life: Survival and Reflection
On Priest Island, Miller and Bellord set up three tents: one for storing long-term goods like tinned food and rope, another for immediate-use items like cooking gear, and a third for sleeping and shelter. The island, now an RSPB reserve, tested their resilience, forcing them to adapt to a new way of life.
Ten Months Undetected on Priest Island
Rumours circulated that the duo was hiding with Lord Lucan, and psychics were even hired to locate them. Police and Interpol investigated sightings across Europe, Australia, South Africa, and the UK, but Miller and Bellord remained undetected on Priest Island for ten months. Some believe that contacts in Ullapool helped conceal them during their time in the far Northwest.
Capture and Imprisonment
In July 1976, the pair were finally caught after a tip-off from Green, who had been promised leniency by the police in exchange for information that could help their creditors recover their money. Miller and Bellord were found in a caravan on the grounds of a bed and breakfast in Ullapool on the mainland. They were subsequently imprisoned for six years for their scam, which involved setting up a chain of over 20 shops supposedly selling organs to churches.
Priest Island provided the perfect hideout for Miller and Bellord as they fled from the consequences of their actions. But in the end, their idyllic island escape couldn’t last forever.
The Legacy of the Priest Island Hideout
Miller and Bellord’s adventure on Priest Island has become a fascinating piece of history in the Summer Isles. Their story is a testament to the allure of remote locations and the desire to escape one’s past.
Life After Prison
After serving their six-year sentences, Miller and Bellord went on to lead relatively quiet lives. Their time on Priest Island had changed them, as they had learned to appreciate the simpler things in life. Bellord’s quote about their experience encapsulates their transformation: “The island had reaffirmed our belief in the simple things and help to clear away a mass of valueless and extraneous paraphernalia to which, like so many, had cluttered our minds.”
A Cautionary Tale
The tale of Miller and Bellord’s escape to Priest Island serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of deception and the inevitable truth that, eventually, one’s past will catch up with them. Their story is a reminder that despite the allure of hiding away on a remote island, it is essential to face one’s problems head-on and make amends for any wrongdoings.
Priest Island Today
Today, Priest Island is a protected RSPB reserve, ensuring the preservation of its unique wildlife, such as pygmy shrews and the large colony of storm petrels. Visitors to the Summer Isles can enjoy the pristine natural beauty of the islands, explore the rich history of the region, and perhaps reflect on the story of the two con men who once called this remote Scottish island their home.
In Conclusion
The remarkable story of Miller and Bellord’s 262-day hideout on Priest Island is an intriguing chapter in the history of the Summer Isles. The tale of their escape, survival, and eventual capture serves as a reminder of the power of nature to transform lives and the importance of facing the consequences of one’s actions. Today, the island’s status as an RSPB reserve ensures that it will continue to be a haven for wildlife, while the legacy of its infamous past residents will continue to captivate visitors to the Summer Isles for years to come.