‘A Prodigious Number of Little Cells’ – Cleitean and the St Kilda World Heritage Site

St Kilda's World Heritage Site features over 1,200 'cleitean'—small vernacular buildings—on the island of Hirte alone, a density of nearly 150 per square kilometer. Contrary to their traditional classification as mere communal storehouses, this study reveals that cleitean served a more complex role in St Kilda's feudal economic network, originating from medieval times but influenced by Norse practices. These structures were strategically distributed across the landscape to protect and improve goods while spreading risk and symbolizing the islanders' control over their environment. The research employs careful field observation and historical evidence reassessment to challenge the conventional understanding of cleitean as homogenous sheds, emphasizing their significance within a broader social and economic context.

Geddes, G., & Watterson, A. (2013). ‘A Prodigious Number of Little Cells’ – Cleitean and the St Kilda World Heritage Site. Architectural Heritage, 24(1), 103–118. https://doi.org/10.3366/arch.2013.0048