St Kilda is one of Scotland’s most remote and hauntingly beautiful archipelagos, lying some 40 miles west of the Outer Hebrides in the North Atlantic Ocean.
Comprising the main island of Hirta and several sea stacks and islets, St Kilda is renowned for its dramatic cliffs, teeming seabird colonies, and remarkable human history.
Designated as a dual UNESCO World Heritage Site for its natural and cultural significance, it represents a rare convergence of unique wildlife habitats and poignant human endurance.
The islands were inhabited for over 2,000 years by a small, resilient community that lived a subsistence lifestyle, relying on seabirds, sheep, and limited agriculture. Life on St Kilda was famously harsh, and the islanders developed distinct customs and skills, particularly in climbing the sheer cliffs to harvest seabird eggs and meat.
However, by 1930, faced with dwindling numbers and increasing hardship, the remaining residents requested evacuation to the mainland, marking the end of permanent habitation on the islands.
These days, St Kilda is in the safe hands of the National Trust for Scotland, drawing in curious scientists, keen conservationists, and bold adventurers. The old village on Hirta still stands proud, its stone houses whispering tales of a rugged island life.
And it’s not just about history—this wild outpost is a vital haven for seabirds like puffins, fulmars, and gannets, making it a hotspot for both culture and conservation.
St Kilda Information
St Kilda on Film
- 1930 – Evacuation of St Kilda – National Library of Scotland
- St Kilda – Britain’s Lonliest Isle – National Library of Scotland
- St Kilda The Lonely Islands – National Library of Scotland
- St Kilda on YouTube
Visiting St Kilda
St Kilda is difficult to reach due to its location and unpredictable weather.
Visits are typically by boat or organised tours from the Hebrides, such as the Isle of Skye or Harris.
- Boat trips to St Kilda with Sea Harris
- Journey to the islands on the edge of the world with Kilda Cruises.
- The Northern Light Cruising