Publications
Catastrophe at St Kilda: Vulnerability and Resilience in an Island Community
St Kilda's cultural continuity may have been disrupted by two catastrophic events, which depleted its population and led to repopulation from the MacLeods' domains. This repopulation introduced Hebridean folklore, Norse words for seabirds and boats, and toponyms related to key seascape features, potentially forming a lingua franca that aided cultural resilience during major population renewals. The study suggests that St Kilda's relatively well-documented ethnography can provide insights into the broader, less recorded Hebridean region. It examines how economic and political motivations for repopulation, combined with vulnerability to disease and violence, shaped island communities' resilience.
The abduction of Lady Grange to St Kilda: searching for truth
New evidence challenges long-standing inaccuracies surrounding the abduction of Lady Grange by Jacobite supporters in 1732, revealing her true ordeal of isolation and destitution. Contrary to prevailing narratives, she was not comfortably lodged but endured eight years of captivity on St Kilda before being moved across the Highlands until her death in 1745. The study, based on extensive research, reconstructs the most plausible route of her imprisonment and exposes the complicity of influential figures, including clan chiefs, during the decline of the Highland Clan system. By critically analyzing historical accounts, this work corrects misconceptions and sheds light on the complex dynamics of power and autonomy in 18th-century Scotland.
St-Kilda : la disparition des derniers hobbits
St. Kilda, a remote archipelago off Scotland's coast, offers a unique case study in demographic resilience and cultural isolation. The research reveals that the islanders' survival for centuries with minimal external interference was sustained by a low economic dependency, shaped by their self-sufficient lifestyle and detachment from broader societal norms. However, well-intentioned interventions—such as those by the Church, Glasgow's elite, early tourists, and health services—ultimately led to the island's evacuation in 1930. The study examines the interplay of natural conditions, social organization, and external pressures that defined St. Kilda's demographic equilibrium, providing insights into how isolated societies can endure or perish under changing circumstances.
The abduction of Lady Grange to St Kilda
New evidence challenges long-standing inaccuracies surrounding the abduction of Lady Grange to St Kilda, revealing her true conditions of isolation and destitution. Contrary to claims that she was housed comfortably for protection, research establishes that Lady Grange endured eight years of imprisonment without basic comforts or mental support, reflecting the harsh realities faced by women in such circumstances during the dying days of the Highland clan system. The study also reconstructs her likely route through the Highlands, providing a more precise account than previous narratives. This work relies on extensive historical research and critical analysis of existing accounts to correct misconceptions and illuminate the complexities of power dynamics among influential figures of the era.
Ultima Thule? Reconnecting St Kilda and Pabbay
St Kilda, often perceived as a remote and culturally isolated UNESCO World Heritage Site, is not historically or archaeologically distinct from its neighboring island Pabbay. This study challenges the notion of St Kilda as an 'ultima Thule,' revealing that both islands were once managed as a single unit by the Macleod estate in the historical period. The research compares the two islands' post-medieval archaeological landscapes, highlighting how their narratives diverged in the 19th century due to financial strain and land clearance, leaving Pabbay overlooked despite its significance. By analyzing historical records and conducting recent surveys of Pabbay, the study argues that understanding St Kilda's broader context should begin with its closest neighbor, providing a more nuanced perspective on its cultural and archaeological heritage.
The Last of the Great Auks: Oral History and Ritual Killings at St Kilda
Historical accounts of the great auk's extinction suggest that two individuals were ritually killed at St Kilda, one on Hirta and another on Stac an Armin, likely between 1840-1850. This study evaluates three conflicting narratives from a deeply Christian community, concluding that ritual avicide was practiced during a period of social upheaval following the Disruption of 1843, when the island's minister left. The research combines oral history analysis with historical context to argue for the plausibility of two killings rather than one, while also noting a potential sighting in 1890.
The dynamics of vegetation grazed by a food‐limited population of Soay sheep on St Kilda
A long-term study on St Kilda reveals that the Soay sheep population's dynamics are closely tied to vegetation productivity, with grazing impacts varying significantly across different plant communities. The research shows that while highly palatable species like Festuca rubra and Ranunculus acris declined in Holcus / Agrostis grasslands due to intense grazing, overall plant species richness increased as grazing-tolerant species thrived under defoliation. Notably, the population's growth slowed and stabilized between 2011 and 2020, correlating with increased plant production in Holcus / Agrostis grassland. The study emphasizes the resilience of this plant-herbivore interaction, with no significant rise in unpalatable species, suggesting that measuring primary productivity and herbivore offtake offers deeper insights into population dynamics than biomass changes alone.
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis in the 1930 Evacuees from St Kilda, Scotland
A rare and significant health impact emerged among the St Kilda evacuees following their 1930 relocation from the remote Hebridean island to the Scottish mainland. Contrary to typical scenarios where isolated communities are exposed to endemic diseases, this study reveals that the evacuees themselves became vulnerable to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), a pathogen not previously present on St Kilda. The research highlights how the introduction of a non-immune population into a more densely populated and disease-exposed environment can lead to unexpected health consequences. By analyzing historical records and medical data from the decade post-evacuation, the study underscores the importance of understanding the bidirectional risks of infectious diseases during community relocations.
Stable isotopes reveal the importance of seabirds and marine foods in the diet of St Kilda field mice
Stable isotope analysis reveals that seabirds and marine foods constitute a significant portion of the diet of St Kilda field mice, particularly during seabird breeding seasons. Mice sampled from Carn Mor, where the majority of the island's seabirds nest, exhibited distinct isotopic signatures compared to other locations, indicating a higher reliance on seabird-derived foods. This finding suggests that mice may be scavenging or predating seabirds or consuming their discarded food items, potentially impacting seabird populations. The study used δ13C and δ15N ratios from mouse blood and dietary items to examine foraging behavior across three years (2010–2012), employing isotope niche and mixing models to assess seasonal and spatial variations.
Effects of artificial lights and moonlight on petrels at St Kilda
Artificial lights at St Kilda attract petrels, particularly when moonlight is scarce, but deliberate light reduction measures significantly decrease this attraction and its negative impacts. The study found that while reductions in artificial lighting effectively lowered the number of Leach's Storm-petrels drawn to lights, their effect on Manx Shearwaters was less pronounced. Mortality rates were extremely low, with only juveniles affected, primarily after nights with minimal moonlight. Although the overall numbers of petrels attracted were small compared to breeding populations, light reduction measures remained beneficial in preventing disorientation and grounding during fledging periods. This phenomenon is rare in other UK breeding areas, highlighting St Kilda's unique vulnerability.
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