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About St Kilda
St Kilda lies far out in the Atlantic, west of the Isle of Harris. The main island is Hirta, surrounded by smaller islands and stacks such as Boreray, Soay, and the iconic Stac an Armin and Stac Lee, which are some of the highest sea stacks in Europe.
St Kilda – The Edge of the World
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Located 40 miles west of the Outer Hebrides, St Kilda is a breathtaking archipelago in the North Atlantic Ocean. It is one of Scotland’s most remote and dramatic destinations, famed for its towering sea cliffs, unique wildlife, and poignant human history. The islands were formed by ancient volcanic activity, creating steep cliffs and towering sea stacks that rise sharply from the Atlantic. Conachair, the highest point on Hirta, soars 430 m above sea level, offering sweeping views across the archipelago. The exposed terrain is shaped constantly by powerful winds, salt spray, and Atlantic storms, giving it a raw, untouched feel.
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The surrounding waters are rich in marine life, including dolphins, porpoises, and occasionally minke whales. The clarity of the water and the lack of light pollution make it a haven for both divers and stargazers.
World Heritage Site
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St Kilda is the UK’s only dual UNESCO World Heritage Site - recognised for both its natural environment and cultural heritage. It is managed by the National Trust for Scotland, in partnership with NatureScot and the Ministry of Defence.
A Glimpse into the Past
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For over 2,000 years, a small, self-sufficient community lived on St Kilda. They farmed, fished, and famously harvested seabirds for food, oil, and feathers. Life was harsh and isolated, and in 1930 the last 36 residents were evacuated to the mainland at their own request. Today, the deserted village street remains, with stone houses and cleits (stone storage huts) giving visitors a powerful sense of history.
A Seabird Sanctuary
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St Kilda is internationally celebrated for its seabird populations. In fact, it supports the largest seabird colony in the north-east Atlantic.
Key highlights include:
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Puffins – St Kilda is home to hundreds of thousands of puffins during the breeding season, creating a spectacular sight as they dart in and out of their burrows.
Gannets – The sea stacks of Boreray host the largest gannet colony in the world, with over 60,000 pairs nesting on the cliffs.
Fulmars, kittiwakes, guillemots, razorbills and skuas – These species fill the skies and cliff faces with activity during the summer months.
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St Kilda Wren – A small, unique subspecies found nowhere else on Earth, adapted to the island’s challenging environment.
The islands are a designated National Nature Reserve, and their importance for birdlife is recognised globally.
St Kilda Fieldmouse – Another species unique to the islands, slightly larger than its mainland relatives and a reminder of how isolation has shaped life here.
The Remarkable Soay Sheep
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Among St Kilda’s most fascinating residents are the Soay sheep, a rare and ancient breed believed to be direct descendants of the earliest domestic sheep in northern Europe.
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They roam freely on the island of Soay and on Hirta, where they were introduced in the 1930s after the evacuation. These sheep are completely unmanaged, living wild and fending for themselves, providing scientists with valuable insights into natural population dynamics. Soay sheep are small, hardy, and agile, perfectly adapted to the rocky, windswept terrain. Their wool naturally moults in spring rather than needing to be sheared. Visitors often see them grazing among the ruins of the abandoned village on Hirta, a striking reminder of how nature has reclaimed the land.
Plant Life in a Harsh Climate
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Although the environment is extreme, more than 130 species of flowering plants and 160 moss and liverwort species grow here. These include hardy coastal plants like sea campion, thrift, and heather, which add splashes of colour to the otherwise green and grey landscape during the summer months. The remoteness and lack of pollution allow rare species to thrive, making it a favourite destination for botanists.