The tallest and most dramatic cliffs in the UK can be found on the spectacular archipelago of St Kilda which is in the North Atlatnic Ocean and is 100 miles off the Scottish mainland
The steep cliffs and seabird colonies of Hirta (the biggest island in St Kilda) (Image: Getty Images)
An abandoned Scottish island that is located 100 miles off the mainland offers spectacular views from the tallest cliffs in the UK – and you can even camp there overnight.
Humans lived on the archipelago of St Kilda for 2,000 years until 1930 when the last 36 residents were evacuated and resettled to Scotland. And although a unique way of life was lost forever, the signs of the past are dotted throughout the four islands, particularly the biggest one, Hirta.
St Kilda, which was recently named among the most haunted coastlines in the UK, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site for its unique wildlife, mind blowing sea cliffs and isolated eco system including being home to one million seabirds.
The National Trust of Scotland now manages the islands in the Atlantic and visitors can take trips in April and September – but weather conditions can frequently lead to cancellations.
Ruth Aisling, who runs a YouTube channel where she rediscovers her home country of Scotland after being abroad for 12 years, once visited St Kilda, which is 40 miles west of the Outer Hebrides.
She had to take a three-hour boat journey from the Isle of Skye and she said a day trip cost £280 per person.
However, to camp overnight in the most remote part of the British Isles, you have to pay for the return journey, and so her total cost was £500.
She said: “Although this is quite pricey, St Kilda is a place I have always wanted to see and this will probably be the only time I will ever visit.”
After arriving, a representative from the National Trust talked her through where she could and could not go, before she began hiking.
The first thing that struck her was the abandoned village behind her and how the views of the strone structures and surrounding bay were “very beautiful”.
And giving her initial impressions, she added: “I have been on the island for an hour, hour and a half already, and my first impression is that the island definitely feels lived on.
“I had an image before coming here that this was an abandoned island, there really wasn’t going to be much here, however, there’s quite a lot of activity.
“I think there’s around 30 or 40 people on the island tonight. They might not live here year-round but they do live here temporarily so it is a little bit different to what I expected based on my first impressions so far.”
During her memorable hikes, she marvelled at the “unbelievable” scenery, but did offer a word of caution.
She said: “If you’re someone who is afraid of heights I don’t recommend hiking up here. Even me who is not really scared of heights my legs are wobbling a little bit. I’m staying quite far back from the edge. It probably looks like I am quite close but I am probably about seven eight metres from the edge.”
The steepest cliffs in the UK, including Conachair, which stands at 427 metres, are based in St Kilda.
Unfortunately, after reaching the highest point, the clouds had circled, and despite waiting for 30 minutes, Aisling wasn’t quite able to take in what would have been a once in a lifetime view.
Her night in the tent was slightly unsettling, after being woken up by a huge mouse looking to rustle its way into her space. She also said the sheep were noisy too.
On day two, she visited the other side of the island, and was blown away by what she saw.
She said: “This place is incredible. It looks like a picture frame of stones, and then the view out! This is 100% the best view of St Kilda in my opinion.”
The island of Hirta is made up of a church, deserted stone cottages, store houses and freshwater springs and there is also now a museum. There are toilet and shower facilities but no shops or restaurants exist.
While former residents did rely on fishing, one of their main sources of food was seabird meat and eggs, which was a crucial part of their diets. It also remains the UK’s largest puffin colony and supports 50% of our puffin population.
And giving an insight into the way of life, Martin Martin wrote in 1697: “The inhabitants of St Kilda, are much happier than the generality of mankind, as being almost the only people in the world who feel the sweetness of true liberty, simplicity, mutual love and cordial friendship, free from solicitous cares, and anxious covetousness; and the consequences that attend them.”
However, many reasons led to it being abandoned, including increased contact with the mainland in the 19th century which led to fatal diseases spreading.
At its peak, 200 people lived there, but some started to search for a more prosperous life elsewhere, leaving few hands to manage, and in the 1920s, shortly before the evacuation, crop failures led to deaths by starvation.
However, it remains a popular tourist destination, and the archipelago was dubbed the “real-life Jurassic Park” by the Telegraph’s Robin McKelvie who also described the cliffs as “Tolkien-eque”.
One other visitor took to TripAdvisor last year where they called it a “breathtakingly beautiful place”.
Another reviewer wrote: “Felt very privileged to visit this amazing place. It is beautiful in terms of scenery and wildlife and very poignant to see the places where people eked out a living for so long but who eventually had to ask for evacuation. Warm and informative welcome from the island’s warden.”
A third person said: “Landing by RIB on St Kilda on a gloriously sunny day is a once in a lifetime experience. The history is fascinating, the scenery stunning and the wildlife, especially puffins abundant.”