An extremely apologetic post https://t.co/3e01yKH0MK WARNING: CONTAINS ME pic.twitter.com/IiYOdm2nR3

— Neil Gaiman (@neilhimself) May 19, 2020

Police spoke to Gaiman, author of American Gods and Good Omens, about his actions after he revealed he had made the 11,000 mile trip to Britain, flying into London and then driving to his home on Skye at the start of the month.

His "selfish" actions were criticized by Ian Blackford, the lawmaker who represents the area and the Scottish National Party's leader in the Westminster parliament.

"I want to apologize to everyone on the island for creating such a fuss," the author wrote on his website.

Read also: Neil Gaiman reveals 'cast of your dreams' for 'Sandman' audio drama, starring James McAvoy

"I also want to thank and apologize to the local police, who had better things to do than check up on me. I'm sure I've done sillier things in my life, but this is the most foolish thing I've done in quite a while."

Gaiman said he had returned from New Zealand when the lockdown was eased there because he and his wife had agreed they "needed to give each other some space". His wife Amanda Palmer is an American musician and performance artist.

Scotland maintains stricter lockdown conditions than England, including telling its citizens to stay at home and advising against cross-border travel.

Ten residents of a care home in Skye's main town of Portree have died of COVID-19.