Just read the guestbook messages from Trevor Varley and Alan Hunter-Craig, (that name rings a bell with me) with interest. I was privileged to visit St Kilda many times during 1957/8 on Operation Hardrock. At that time I was doing my National Service and served as a seaman on LCT4097.
Would love to hear from any other crew ex RASC 76 Coy LCT.

This site about ST Kilda is very interesting. Problem is that describe of history is very weak.
EDITOR: There is extensive information about the history of the islands in the section on the Past (left sidebar). Also in the Renomination Document: Follow the link at the bottom of the Home page, and look at the Cultural Heritage Extract.

Hello,
I'm Swedish but have visited Scotland many times. Once, when visiting the Outer Hebrides, I bought a book about St. Kilda. I have read it a few times becasue I was so intrigued by the history of the island but it seems to have got lost in all the moves. Does anyone know of how I could get hold of another copy? I think I bought it at the tourist office in Stornoway but I might be wrong. Many years ago.

Hello. Don I was on st kilda at the same time as you cant say I remember you but I was one of the two
RE.s there. one was brad & myself (sparky)you are the first person on the guestbook that I may know was one of the bristol lads mick fisher all the best to you John

eine sehr schöne und informative Hompage gruss frank zschaler/maurice la mano aus Deutschland/Bremen/lilienthal

We went to st kilda on a national trust for scotland cruise. It was a moving experience, since I saw Tom Steel's film a long time since, (in the 70s ?) I have wanted to go and see for myself just what the island was like. The sense of the history gained by just standing in the remains of the houses was almost overwhelming. On the first cruise we were unable to land, so the second cruise when we were able to land, is a memorable experience, and will not be forgotten. I would like to go again if time permits, but since I retired there seems to be less time available. I hope the national trust for scotland keeps up the good work. John.

Can you tell me if you have employed this seasons Ranger?, if not i will gladly take the post. I have no experience as a Ranger however my obsession and knowledge and love for the island will see me through ok. Failing that,i will just have to make do with my return trip this april, which cannot come quick enough.
Keep up the great work NTS.
EDITOR: We are currently advertising for a ranger for St Kilda – the closing date is the 16th February. You can request an application form from aandrew @ nts . org . uk

- just wondering what the weather conditions are like on the islands.. considering the unusually harsh winter in the UK (and here!)
EDITOR: There are no NTS staff on the islands at this time of year. The weather on nearby Harris, which can be dramatically different from St Kilda, can be found on the BBC website: http://news.bbc.co.uk/weather/forecast/373?&search=harris&itemsPerPage=10&region=uk&area=Harris

Now what could be more Scottish than a name like mine. Born in Australia in 1947, raised in South Africa, now in the USA, my wife Cherry (married 40 years) and I have had a life long dream to visit Scotland. That dream came true in 2006. We spent a week on Skye (what a joy) and there discovered St. Kilda. We purchased a book on it, read right through it and have been in love with the islands ever since. Now National Geographic, in their January edition have just done an excellent job with photos and text on the Outer Hebrides, including St. Kilda. I would love to visit there one day. Here's hoping! I seem drawn to it. Maybe that part of Scotland is where my roots are. I read that some of the St. Kildans emigrated to Australia.
Long shot I suppose. Congratulations on an excellent website.

Just read an article abt St Kilda in National Geography. What a fascinating and magical island. Wish to visit it one day. What is the best time to do it in summer and how to get there?
EDITOR: See Visiting St Kilda on the left-hand sidebar. Day trips from Harris are now available, weather permitting, e.g. www.kildacruises.co.uk, www.seaharris.co.uk or www.seatrek.co.uk (from Lewis).

This is for Kyle Armstrong in Edinburgh.

Many many thanks Kyle for taking the time to respond to my question. Daft I know, but I find it comforting to think the islanders could see land in the distance.

I noticed at least one post on here relevant to RAF 5004 Squadron. We were on the rock in 1957 working on "Operation Hardrock". I wonder how many other Hardrock chaps are out there. St.Kilda was a beautiful place but the weather was something to remember. We were given up for lost for a few hours at one point in the trip on an old LTC ship. I would love to hear from other 5004 Sqdn members.
trevor @ trevorvarley . com

Was just glancing though my January, 2010 National Geographic Mag and learned of this toally remote and beautiful, in its own way, island.
All the best to those of you who live there.

Like most people in the guests pages, my wife and I are fascinated by St Kildas. We have visited the outer Hebrides a few times and love the islands, but have never been to St Kildas.
Reading from William Powers log from his 30ft yacht 'The Olivia' he writes that he visited the island in 1861 July, and pulled ashore at Village bay. He writes that the St Kilderans were 'well dressed and chearful looking' most spoke no English but shook hands heartily.
He met the Factor who visited the island twice a year in an open boat to collect the rent, bringing with him some luxuries in exchange for the rent ie. feathers and oil.
He was also met by the minister and 2 daughters, who invited them for a meal . he quotes the minister as being deaf and 'taking snuff'
He held fort and seem to have much authority over
the St Kildians
The population he said was about 75 souls. he also mentions the natives decending the cliffs by ropes.
I can't find out what happened to Willian Power or the Yacht Olivia, but I'm fascinated

Happy xmas to NTS & all who visit this site and who are obsessed in the islands beauty like i am. i cannot wait for April 2010, when i visit st kilda for my second time, with a few days camp,(hopefully, will find out soon if i can!). if you only do one thing in 2010, make sure you visit st kilda. You will not be disapointed.
Merry xmas and happy new year.
p.s. best of luck to name sake st. kilda footie team next season

As a tragic St Kilda fan in the Australian Football League, I seem to find myself sitting here each year after the office Xmas party, a bit worse for wear, looking at this website.
I am posting this entry, not only to say how much I would like to visit the island and to wish everyone a happy Xmas and Merry New Year, but so that I can see this entry when I log on to this sight in a year's time, and in the years to come.

Merry Xmas everyone!

I hope to visit St Kilda one day
regards Joe

FAO Jennie, West Sussex
When I spent two weeks on St Kilda in June/July 2006, it was cracking weather. Clear sunny days.
On numerous occasions I could see Lewis/Harris, the Uists and even Barra. Behind the Western Isles we could also see the Cuillin Mountains on Skye. This was from the top of Connachair and was spectacular!
Hope you can visit and hope the weather is clear.

I'm not even sure how I came across St. Kilda on the web, but have spent the last few days reading about little else. What a stunning place, what an incredible story. I am determined to visit this year.
What I would very much like to know is - I know that, despite the distance St Kilda is visible from Uist, Harris on a clear day but are these islands and other land masses visible from St. Kilda? For that remote, isolated community surrounded by sea, it must have been a great comfort to them if they were able to see other land masses in the distance.
Can someone tell me, what, if any land is visible from St. Kilda.
Many thanks.

very impressive web site many thanks, after just watching a tv programe on bbc tv tonight i just had to see if there was information on st kilda online , also surprized to hear [from guest book ] there is an australian rules football team called st kilda [now going to be a fan], thanks for the website keep up the good work the national trust for scotland must be vry proud of this lovelly stunning place....colin w...fife scotland.