St Kilda is actually not one but a group of five islands. Their names are Hirta, Soay, Boreray, Dun and Levenish (there are also two large rocks – or sea stacks – close to Boreray called Stac an Armin and Stac Lee.)

It lies 66 kilometres (or 41 miles) west of Benbecula in Scotland's Outer Hebrides.

St Kilda's name is very interesting because there is no Saint called Kilda and there are many stories as to how this island group might have got its name.
One story is that the main island, which is called Hirta or Hirte, was pronounced by the St Kildan people as Hilta, or almost Kilta. So it is easy to imagine that early visitors to the islands might have heard Kilta or Kilda and even maybe St Kilda.

St Kilda has:
- The highest cliffs in the UK (over 400 metres high), which continue underwater to make …

- The 'highest' underwater cliffs in the UK with amazing reefs and caves supporting incredible sea life

- During the summer, the largest seabird colony in the north-east Atlantic ocean with nearly one million birds

How long does it take to get there?
- By Helicopter from Benbecula - about 20 minutes

- By boat from Harris - about 2-3 hours

- By boat from Oban and Mallaig - it varies from between 17 hours to 4 days depending on the weather!

Look at a map of Scotland yourself and see if you can find St Kilda on it!