Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ST KILDA
St Kilda
(
www.kilda.org.uk
)
is a collection of spectacular sea stacks and cliff-bound islands about 45 miles west of
North Uist. The largest island, Hirta, measures only 2 miles by 1 mile, with huge cliffs along most of its coastline.
Owned by National Trust for Scotland (NTS), the islands are a Unesco World Heritage Site and are the biggest
seabird nesting site in the North Atlantic. They are home to more than a million birds.
In addition to watching the bird life, visitors can explore the remains of the settlement at Village Bay, where
there's a ranger's office and small museum, and climb to the island's highest point.
History
Hirta was inhabited by a Gaelic-speaking population of around 200 until the 19th century, when the arrival of
church missionaries and tourists began the gradual breakdown of St Kilda's traditional way of life. By the 1920s
disease and emigration had seen the islands' economy collapse, and the 35 remaining islanders were evacuated, at
their own request, in 1930. The people had survived here by keeping sheep, fishing, growing a few basic crops such
as barley, and climbing the cliffs barefoot to catch seabirds and collect their eggs. Over the centuries this resulted in
a genetic peculiarity - St Kilda men had unusually long big toes.
Getting There & Away
Boat tours to St Kilda are a major undertaking, and depend on the weather - day trips are 12-hour affairs, involving
a minimum three-hour crossing each way, often in rough seas. Tour operators include Kilda Cruises (
Click here
)
and SeaTrek (
Click here
).
Sleeping & Eating
Tigh Dearg Hotel££
(
01876-500700;
www.tighdearghotel.co.uk
; Lochmaddy; s/d from £99/110; )
It
looks a little like a hostel from the outside but the 'Red House' (as the name translates) is
actually Lochmaddy's most luxurious accommodation, with nine designer bedrooms, a
lounge with leather sofas around an open fire, a gym and even a sauna. There's a good
restaurant too, with sea views from the terrace.
HOTEL
Old Courthouse££
(
01876-500358; oldcourthouse@googlemail.com; Lochmaddy; r per person from £30;
)
This Georgian-style villa is within walking distance of the ferry, on the road that leads
to Uist Outdoor Centre. It's a bit worn around the edges but full of character, with tradi-
tional porridge for breakfast, homemade marmalade, and kippers on the menu.
B&B
