St Kilda National Nature Reserve
Remote and spectacular, the St Kilda archipelago lies 41 miles west of Benbecula. It is the largest seabird colony in the north-east Atlantic, home to almost a million birds, including a quarter of the world's populations of gannets.
Its main island of Hirta maintained its population until 1930, when the islanders were evacuated at their own request. Fowling among the great colonies of seabirds (puffins for feathers and meat, young fulmars for oil and young gannets for meat) was the main employment, augmented by sheep herding, crofting and fishing.
St Kildas landscapes, birdlife and human history are truly outstanding. It also has its own subspecies of wren and field mouse, as well as a wild flock of primitive Soay sheep. Make the trip and youre guaranteed one of the experiences of a lifetime.
In addition to its NNR status (1957), St Kilda has been designated a:
Biosphere Reserve (1976)
Scheduled Ancient Monument (1979)
National Scenic Area (1981)
Site of Special Scientific Interest (1984)
Scotland's first World Heritage Site (1986)
Special Area of Conservation (1992)
European Community Proposed Special Area of Conservation
World Heritage Site Revised Nomination (2003)
Contact
The National Trust For Scotland
St Kilda National Nature Reserve
St Kilda
St Kilda
HS
Great Britain
Tel: +44(0)131 243 9300
E-Mail: information@nts.org.uk
WWW: http://www.nts.org.uk
