New Horizon Sailing

St Kilda

St. Kilda is a group of four small islands, the largest of which is Hirta, which is a sixty mile passage west of the Outer Hebrides.

The islands and the surrounding marine area are now a World Heritage site and have a fascinating history.
In 1930 the islanders were evacuated at their own request. Until then they had scratched a living over the centuries by snaring birds from amongst the huge population of fulmars, puffins and gannets which nest on the towering cliffs and stacs of the islands. The abandoned village is still there and offers a poignant insight into the lives of the islanders. It is being restored by the National Trust for Scotland and Scottish National Heritage.

This is Europe’s most important sea bird colony and is not easy to reach other than in your own yacht and even then only when sea conditions allow. This cruise appeals to sailors with some experience and those with a taste for adventure. 

A visit to the islands may also be possible as part of a “milebuilder” week but by allowing ourselves a couple of days more, we are much more likely to find the “weather window” that we need to get there. We will also be able to visit some of the more out-of-the-way places in the Outer Hebrides.
More information at www.kilda.org.uk.

“Thank you, again, for an excellent week's sailing, which exceeded my high expectations. Reaching St Kilda was a truly memorable experience and the sail in lovely weather around Skye and into Loch Nevis was "chust sublime" as Para Handy would say.”
Peter, Lothian