St Kilda

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St Kilda: A Remote Archipelago of Unparalleled Natural Beauty and Historical Significance

St Kilda, located 35 nautical miles west-northwest of North Uist in the North Atlantic Ocean, constitutes a unique and captivating chapter in the annals of Scottish history and natural heritage. This remote archipelago, administratively a part of the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar local authority area, consists of four main islands—Hirta, Dun, Soay, and Boreray—each offering a distinct blend of breathtaking landscapes, rich biodiversity, and historical remnants that bear testament to over two millennia of human habitation under challenging environmental conditions.

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UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site

This volcanic archipelago, with its spectacular landscapes, is situated off the coast of the Hebrides and comprises the islands of Hirta, Dun, Soay and Boreray. It has some of the highest cliffs in Europe, which have large colonies of rare and endangered species of birds, especially puffins and gannets. The archipelago, uninhabited since 1930, bears the evidence of more than 2,000 years of human occupation in the extreme conditions prevalent in the Hebrides. Human vestiges include built structures and field systems, the cleits and the traditional Highland stone houses. They feature the vulnerable remains of a subsistence economy based on the products of birds, agriculture and sheep farming.

Encyclopedia Record: St Kilda, Scotland

St Kilda is a remote archipelago situated 35 nautical miles west-northwest of North Uist in the North Atlantic Ocean. It contains the westernmost islands of the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. The largest island is Hirta, whose sea cliffs are the highest in the United Kingdom; three other islands were also used for grazing and seabird hunting. The islands are administratively a part of the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar local authority area.

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