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St Kilda World Heritage Site

Heritage Site in Inverness-shire

Scotland

St Kilda World Heritage Site

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

St Kilda World Heritage Site is located in the archipelago of St Kilda, in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. It was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1986 due to its exceptional natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. The site encompasses four main islands: Hirta, Dun, Soay, and Boreray, along with several smaller islets.

The landscape of St Kilda is stunning, with dramatic cliffs rising from the sea and rugged, untouched terrain. It is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including seabirds such as puffins, gannets, and fulmars, as well as grey seals and whales. The site is also known for its unique flora, with several endemic species thriving in the harsh conditions.

St Kilda has a rich human history, with evidence of human occupation dating back thousands of years. The islands were inhabited until 1930 when the last residents were evacuated due to the harsh living conditions. The remains of the village, including stone houses and cleits (stone storage structures), are still visible today, providing insight into the lives of the islanders.

The site is also of great archaeological interest, with sites dating back to the Bronze Age. The most iconic feature is the medieval St Kilda Church, located on Hirta. It stands as a reminder of the religious significance of the islands.

St Kilda World Heritage Site is a remote and isolated place, accessible only by boat or helicopter. Its natural beauty, unique wildlife, and rich cultural heritage make it a popular destination for nature enthusiasts, archaeologists, and those interested in exploring the history of the Scottish islands.

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St Kilda World Heritage Site Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 57.818/-8.587 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.
St Kilda
View from Traigh-stir on North Uist at sunset.
Geodha na h-Àirde (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 <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1291360">NA0800 : Gob na h-Airde</a>. 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.
Geodha na h-Àirde (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.
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. <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://canmore.org.uk/site/3960/st-kilda-hirta-gleann-mor-the-amazons-house" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://canmore.org.uk/site/3960/st-kilda-hirta-gleann-mor-the-amazons-house">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
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. LinkExternal link
Cleit on the side of Mullach Mòr This spot provides a good view into Gleann Mòr towards The Cambir (An Campar).
Cleit on the side of Mullach Mòr
This spot provides a good view into Gleann Mòr towards The Cambir (An Campar).
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mina Stac and the cliffs to its south, Hirta
Mina Stac and the cliffs to its south, Hirta
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.
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.
Hirta, Mina Stac and the cliffs to its south
Hirta, Mina Stac and the cliffs to its south
Former Quarry Site on Hirta
Former Quarry Site on Hirta
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.
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.
St Kilda, Mina Stac 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 of Conachair, the highest point on the island.
St Kilda, Mina Stac
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 of Conachair, the highest point on the island.
Hirta, Gob na h-Àirde 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.
Hirta, Gob na h-Àirde
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.
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 (<a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7366677">NF0998 : Radar Tracking Station on Mullach Sgar</a>).
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).
An Campar Hill at the north-western end of Hirta in the St Kilda archipelago.
An Campar
Hill at the north-western end of Hirta in the St Kilda archipelago.
Abhainn Mhòr, Hirta Flowing past the western end of the old village.
Abhainn Mhòr, Hirta
Flowing past the western end of the old village.
Abhainn Mhòr With some of the maintained cleits along the banks.
Abhainn Mhòr
With some of the maintained cleits along the banks.
Soay Sheep, Hirta A very old lineage of sheep, living wild on Hirta and Soay. They are tagged to monitor population fluctuations, which can be quite rapid.
Soay Sheep, Hirta
A very old lineage of sheep, living wild on Hirta and Soay. They are tagged to monitor population fluctuations, which can be quite rapid.
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St Kilda World Heritage Site is located at Grid Ref: NF0999 (Lat: 57.818, Lng: -8.587)

Unitary Authority: Na h-Eileanan an Iar

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///birds.crockery.scooters. Near Balivanich, Na h-Eileanan Siar

Nearby Locations

Mullach Geal Hirta Hiort St Kilda World Heritage Site Gearraidh Ard Cnoc a' Bheannaichta

Related Wikis

St Kilda, Scotland
St Kilda, Scotland

St Kilda (Scottish Gaelic: Hiort) is an isolated archipelago situated 64 kilometres (40 mi) west-northwest of North Uist in the North Atlantic Ocean. It...

Hirta
Hirta

Hirta (Scottish Gaelic: Hiort) is the largest island in the St Kilda archipelago, on the western edge of Scotland. The names Hiort (in Scottish Gaelic...

Stac Biorach
Stac Biorach

Stac Biorach (Scottish Gaelic: "the pointed stack") is a sea stack, 73 metres tall, situated between Hirta and Soay (in the "Sound of Soay") in the St...

Soay, St Kilda
Soay, St Kilda

Soay (Scottish Gaelic: Soaigh) is an uninhabited islet in the St Kilda archipelago, Scotland. The name is from Old Norse Seyðoy, meaning 'island of sheep...

Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 57.818,-8.587
Mullach Mòr
Ele: 357
Natural: peak
Source: npe
Wikidata: Q24677224
Lat/Long: 57.819555/-8.5844643
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Amazon's House
Historic: archaeological_site
Lat/Long: 57.8186447/-8.5913055
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Man Made: mast
Tower Construction: lattice
Lat/Long: 57.8193353/-8.5836032
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Mullach Geal
Place: locality
Lat/Long: 57.814458/-8.5852068
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
St Kenelm's Well Gloucestershire
St Lawrence's Chapel Durham

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