St Kilda

St Kilda is a remote archipelago in the North Atlantic, part of Scotland, noted for a well-preserved abandoned human settlement landscape on Hirta and internationally important seabird colonies. It was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1986 and later recognised for both natural and cultural values.

St Kilda was inhabited for centuries by a small, isolated community that maintained a traditional subsistence economy based on seabirds, pasturage and limited agriculture; the remaining village was abandoned in 1930 when the last residents were evacuated. The islands have since been managed for conservation of both cultural remains and wildlife.

The archipelago lies about 64 kilometres (40 miles) west-northwest of North Uist in the Outer Hebrides and is the westernmost part of the British Isles, reached by infrequent boat or helicopter services from the Scottish mainland or Outer Hebrides.

• UNESCO designation: Designated a World Heritage Site in 1986 and later recognised for both its natural and cultural values, combining a deserted traditional settlement with outstanding seabird colonies.
• Wildlife viewing: Best wildlife viewing is during the seabird breeding season when large colonies of gannets, puffins and other species concentrate on cliffs and stacks; boat trips around the islands give close views of stacks and seabird colonies.

What to See #

• Hirta: The main island of Hirta contains the abandoned village, remaining stone dwellings and cultivated patches that illustrate pre-20th century island life and settlement patterns.
• Sea stacks: Notable offshore sea stacks and stacks such as Stac an Armin and Stac Lee provide important breeding habitat for seabirds and are prominent natural features visible from the main islands.