Hirta

Island in Inverness-shire

Scotland

Hirta

St Kilda View from Traigh-stir on North Uist at sunset. — St Kilda Credit: Sandy Gerrard

Hirta is an uninhabited island located in the archipelago of St Kilda, off the west coast of Scotland, in Inverness-shire. It is the largest island in the St Kilda group and covers an area of approximately 6.8 square kilometers.

Hirta is renowned for its unique and rugged landscape, characterized by steep cliffs and jagged rocks. The highest point on the island is Conachair, reaching an impressive elevation of 430 meters. These cliffs are home to an array of seabirds, including puffins, fulmars, and gannets, making it a popular destination for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts.

The island has a fascinating history, having been inhabited for over 2,000 years until the last remaining residents were evacuated in 1930. The village of Hirta, which once housed the island's population, is now in ruins but provides a glimpse into the island's past. The remains of blackhouses, cleitean (stone storage structures), and a church can still be seen today, offering visitors a sense of the island's former way of life.

Hirta has been recognized for its exceptional natural and cultural value and is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The island is protected by the National Trust for Scotland and access is restricted to protect its fragile ecosystem.

Today, Hirta is primarily visited by tourists and researchers. It offers a unique opportunity to experience the remote wilderness and rich wildlife of the Scottish islands. Visitors can explore the ruins, hike to the summit of Conachair for breathtaking views, and witness the incredible diversity of seabirds that call Hirta home.

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Hirta Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 57.814359/-8.5813168 or Grid Reference NF0999. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

St Kilda

View from Traigh-stir on North Uist at sunset.

Sandy Gerrard

Geodha na h-Ãirde (The Tunnel), St Kilda

A long tunnel cuts through the headland of Gob na h-Àirde which is marked on OS maps as an arch. This is the view at the Gleann Mòr entrance looking towards the bay. Access is by a sloping ledge visible in NA0800 : Gob na h-Airde. The floor of the tunnel has the name Leacan an t-Sluic Mhóir that means The flagstones of the big hole. Jim Crumley in his book, Among Islands, published in 1994, commented that The Tunnel is a landscape out of the top drawer and that "The Trumpet-blowers played the thing down, for memory in such a landscape is not to be trusted". This is the first image inside the Tunnel on Geograph.

Julian Paren

The Amazon's House, Gleann Mor, St Kilda

One of the many structures in Gleann Mor, St Kilda, but this one is the most studied and is named on OS Maps. In Gleann Mor, complex clusters of remains bear affinities with the building traditions of Iron Age wheelhouses, of particular note being the Amazon's House, with its central chamber and linked cells beneath turfed corbelling. Link

Julian Paren

DÃ¹n from Ruabhal

A classic view of Dùn. I had a memorable day on Dùn not helped by falling into the sea when being landed. It is lucky my camera survived to take these images later.

Julian Paren

Cleit on the side of Mullach MÃ²r

This spot provides a good view into Gleann Mòr towards The Cambir (An Campar).

Julian Paren

Village Bay from the side of Ruabhal, Hirta

The military encampment is noticeable and this image was taken when the North Uist Rocket Range was extensively used by NATO.

Julian Paren

Below The Mistress Stone, St Kilda

This stone shared with The Lovers Stone a role in proving fidelity in courtship. Village Bay, Hirta is in the background.

Julian Paren

Mina Stac and the cliffs to its south, Hirta

David Dixon

Radar Tracking Station on Mullach Sgar

This radar station, located on Mullach Sgar, is one of two stations on the island which serve the South Uist rocket range. They contain equipment which allows them to track test firings on the range by radar, and to record images of missiles in flight. The second radar station on Hirta is located further north, on the summit of Mullach Mòr.

David Dixon

Hirta, Mina Stac and the cliffs to its south

David Dixon

Former Quarry Site on Hirta

David Dixon

DÃ¹n and Hirta

A view along the coast of Dùn towards Ruabhal, on the island of Hirta, and the narrow strait (Caolas an Dùin) which separates the two islands. View taken from Bhàga a’ Bhaile (Village Bay).

David Dixon

Mina Stac, Hirta

Hirta is surrounded by a number of small stacks. Mina Stac rises spectacularly to a height of approximately 70 metres, separated by only a few feet from the spectacular cliffs (the highest sea cliffs in the UK) which descend from the summit Conachair.

David Dixon

St Kilda, Mina Stac

David Dixon

Hirta, Gob na h-Ãirde

A small headland which forms the eastern side of Glen Bay on the north coast of Hirta, the principal island of the St Kilda archipelago.

David Dixon

Radar Tracking Station on Mullach Mor

This radar station is located on the summit of Mullach Mor. It is one of two radar stations on the island which serve the South Uist rocket range. They contain equipment which allows them to track test firings on the range by radar, and to record images of missiles in flight. The second radar station on Hirta is located further south, on Mullach Sgar (NF0998 : Radar Tracking Station on Mullach Sgar).

David Dixon