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The island of Boreray in the St Kilda archipelago is home to the world largest northern gannet colony. Photo by Jim Richardson

St Kilda was populated for thousands of years before the evacuation in 1930 of the 36 remaining islanders. Photo courtesy of the National Trust of Scotland

Stac Lee, the second highest sea stack in the St Kilda archipelago. Photo by Arpat Ozgul

Journey to the islands on the edge

of the world in comfort and style

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“Bucket list trip!”

Trudy, Sydney. Reviewed on TripAdvisor

My sister in law and I hugely enjoyed our trip to St Kilda, courtesy of Kilda cruises. Our hosts on the boat were polite, courteous, informative and attentive. They looked after us with tea and cake and a dram. Being on St Kilda was just wonderful, enhanced by the boat trip round Boreray and the Stacks. The wildlife is amazing and the skipper was very knowledgeable about the islands. Highly recommend.

“... Unforgettable experience... ”

Alan, Edinburgh. Reviewed on TripAdvisor

Thanks for a great much anticipated trip out to St Kilda. The weather was great with favourable sea conditions and plenty sunshine. The crew Stuart and Donald were very good and focused on passengers welfare on the run out to St Kilda. Hirta is a beautiful island and it’s very interesting to see where the kildans lived and their way of life. On the run back we visited the sea stacks including the towering Boreray and the huge bird colonies where the kildans scaled the rock faces to hunt the sea birds and collect eggs!

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St Kilda and the isles of the Outer Hebrides 10-nights

Truly the trip of a lifetime, a visit to the haunting and dramatic Archipelago of islands and stacs that make up St Kilda is never to be forgotten . After a sea journey through the Inner and Outer Hebrides there is always excitement and anticipation as St Kilda comes into view, often with the top of the highest sea cliffs in Britain shrouded in mist. Dolphins, Minke whales and basking sharks often accompany the vessel enroute to St Kilda and even into Village Bay itself. Our sturdy, specialised vessels and highly experienced Skippers allow a unique opportunity to cruise close to the stacs, for incredible views of thousands of sea birds nesting on the cliffs and wheeling overhead; St Kilda is home to over 200 bird species. Anchoring in sheltered Village Bay, guests go ashore on the main island of Hirta to explore the poignant history of the abandoned village and try to spot the rare St Kilda wren and St Kilda mouse. A climb up Connachair, the highest point on Hirta, provides breathtaking views over the open sea and surrounding stacs.   

The choice of Outer Hebrides island stopovers on this cruise is equally awe-inspiring and may include Mingulay, Vatersay, Barra, Eriskay, the Uists, the Shiants, Harris and others, depending on wind, tide and the wishes of the guests on board.  The waters of the Outer Hebrides are the best for sightings of cetaceans and our vessels are ideal for navigating close to remote island cliffs where many rare species of birds nest. With the unique wild flower machair in bloom, and stunning shell-sand beaches to walk along, shore trips are magical. There is a good chance of seeing corncrake and many other rare birds on the coastline, as well as otters and the spectacle of hundreds of seals hauled out on the beaches.

St Kilda is very remote and we have an excellent record of reaching the Archipelago. The 10-day cruise allows the Skipper to choose the best weather window to achieve an anchorage in Village Bay. The safety of guests is always paramount and any part of the sea journey is at the Skippers discretion and the final decision rests with him.

This cruise books up early but can also be booked as a private cruise charter, providing suitable dates are available

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20 July 2023

Thank you to Rob, Sam, Ruari, Abbie and all at Hebrides Cruises, not forgetting the beautiful Lucy Mary for another amazing trip. Graeme was thrilled to achieve his ambition of visiting the original (and best ) St Kilda. We also enjoyed revisiting The Small Isles. A bonus was the weather whist not warm it was mostly dry and whilst we were at St Kilda  we were able to view the magnificent stacs under clear blue skies. Sam's offering from the galley were truly magnificent with an amazing  range of textures and flavours from all over the world. We enjoyed many a chat with Ruari - did you know he could have been a concert pianist? Abbie clearly loves her job and we  hope she continues to look after your guests as well as she did us. Huge thanks to Rob for his skill, diligence and great stories of life on the sea and in the islands.

Graeme & Sue Hurst

The cruise to St. Kilda was brilliant, and we were thrilled to see whales and dolphins on the way. The trip round the stacks was especially memorable and very much appreciated as the birds circled above us. The boat was very comfortable even luxurious, providing for all our needs ,with top deck viewing and even a library! We have to mention the exceptional crew; Sam’s excellent t meals; Ruairi’s expert knowledge of wildlife and Abbie, who was so cheerful and thoughtful being there for all the guests. Thanks Rob for a wonderful cruise.

Patricia Armitage

17 July 2023

Dear Emma - It was lovely to meet you briefly both before and after our recent cruise - Fiona and I had such a wonderful time, the fellow passengers were great company but what really made the trip was the fantastic crew, James (for the first 2 days), Bren, Zoe, Hannah and Charlie. They were so professional but also very personable and we could not have asked for better care (or indeed better food when it came to Charlie!).  The cruise gave some spectacular highlights but for me the encounter with the humpback whale on the return leg was amazing but even better was the sunset off the Cairns of Coll - the evening meal had just finished when Bren came to announce that the sunset promise to be spectacular. I spent a good hour on the top deck photographing the beauty of the sunset but was aware of something special as Zoe, Hannah and Bren remained on top and there was total silence as we reflected on the profoundness of the scene.

Far beyond our expectations. The crew were amazing and nothing was too much trouble. The amount of wildlife we saw was unbelievable. Altering course to search for and find the Fin Whale and later on the 2 Hump Back Whales went above and beyond what we could have hoped for. Full marks to the very capable skipper, Bren. Zoe, Charlie and Hannah also deserve our heartfelt thanks for making this trip the experience of a lifetime that will stay with us forever.

Sheelagh Green

4 July 2023

Booking was easy and effective.  Information was helpful with final preparations before the trip.  The crew went out their way to make sure we were well fed, watered, entertained and informed.  With careful planning the Skipper during the early part of the cruise we made it to St Kilda.  So the trip was especailly successful for my wife and I.  We anchored in some lovely sheltered bays and onshore trips were well organised and well led.  You would find it hard to find a better way to explore the Hebrides!

Nick Tardivel

The Skipper used his knowledge of weather and sea state to time our trip to St Kilda and to include areas where we were likely to see (and did see) lots of wildlife.  The chef did very well to cater for the dietary requirements of all passengers.  Meal times were a very pleasant experience.  

Jayne Rendall

This was my second Elizabeth G holiday . I enjoyed everything about the holiday.We visited some wonderful places and saw fantastic wildlife. The crew Alistair, Craig, Zoe, and Minty were excellent and were a pleasure to be with. Thank you Emma and I hope to return one day.

Joan Francis

Appreciated the dropping off the luggage before embarking, and that the luggage was in the cabin upon our arrival.  The Skipper was so informative and knowledgeable – he inspired confidence in knowing that the trip was going to be memorable for all the right reasons. Thoroughly enjoyed his briefings in the evening.

Hazel Walker-Smith

3 July 2023

Our trip exceeded all expectations and took us on an incredible journey around the Islands and ultimately the voyage to St. Kilda…….a once in a life-time experience! The knowledge and capability of the crew, along with their personal interaction and dedication, enhanced everything we did from our daily travel routine, land, sea and wildlife exploration to our cabin comforts and the absolutely delicious food we were graced with each day. Chris, our skipper, Lynsey, our wildlife and daily excursion leader, Greig our culinary artistic expert and Bea who looked after us all so well throughout. Thanks to you all for making our trip such a memorable one. X

Kim and Ian Somerville

Our most enjoyable ten days ever on Scotland's West Coast. We saw countless Gannets, Fulmars, Puffins and large numbers of Dolphins. Manx Shearwaters, Guillemots and Razorbills joined in as did Skuas, Shags and Cormorants. And on our return past Ardnamurchan several Minke whales came to visit. Chris, the skipper, skilfully adjusted our itinerary to make the best of some changeable weather so we managed to reach both the Shiant islands and St Kilda as well as interesting anchorages on the way. Lynsey's keen eye kept us alert to every sighting, Greg spoiled us with imaginative dishes and Bea looked after us with a never-ending supply of Prosecco and cake. Utterly delightful.

Christine and Derek Poate

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If you have any enquiries about our cruises or would like an informal chat about your plans, please email using our Contact Us page. If you prefer phone Emma any-time on  +44 (0) 75851 51611  or  +44 (0)1631 711 986

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Our trip to the Outer Hebrides was exceptional in every way; the talented staff; the comfortable accommodations; the little details (a refreshing glass of Prosecco on the return of each day's trip); the always-full cookie jar; the welcoming and beautifully decorated table spread with good food; the post-dinner discussions and chart-reading with Captain James and our naturalist, Will; the frolicking Bottlenose dolphins "bow riding" upside down next to the "Emma Jane"; the seals lazily lounging on the rocky ledges; the Minke whales; the diving gannets, nesting puffins, and Great Skua (nicknamed "Bonzies" by the Scots.....Will photographed one Bonxie trying to grab a mackerel away from a shearwater); the while fulmars flitting in and out the rocky crevices; and our wonderful trip companions. It was a trip to treasure and relive many times in future years! Every new adventure offered the chance to read and to learn about the many marine birds, the "beasties" (ocean mammals), and the fascinating stories and history of the Outer Hebrides. All experiences were unique; hiking in the Isle of Eigg to the "Massacre Cave"; viewing habitats of nesting puffins, guillemots, shags, fulmars on the cliffs of the "Shiants" and St. Kilda's; seeing the aquaculture salmon rafts stretched in a row off the coast of Skye; steaming across the water to the archipelago of St. Kilda's and experiencing the view of Hirta, St. Kilda's main island, mysteriously rising out of the fog as we approached the island All were memorable experiences. And we were lucky! The weather was perfect for our trip....some light drizzle off and on, some wind but no strong "houlies" (very strong winds)! This is a trip of a lifetime. We recommend it with enthusiasm and with joyful memories! Sally and Alan Gayer June 2019 Private Cruise to the Outer Hebrides and St. Kilda's

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SEA HARRIS (Isle of Harris) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

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Go to St Kilda

Adventures to St Kilda from the Isle of Skye

St Kilda – The UK’s only UNESCO Dual World Heritage Site and National Nature Reserve. Home to north west Europe’s largest seabird colony including the UK’s largest colony of Atlantic puffin, northern Fulmar and one of the World’s largest Gannetaries.

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Situated on the very edge of the Atlantic, the Outer Hebrides is an isolated chain of stunningly beautiful inter-connected islands with a unique way of life. Following a stopover in the Inner Hebrides, the cruise has a wide choice of far-flung idyllic destinations, from the Isles of Barra, Vatersay, Mingulay and the Uists to the south coast of Harris. When favourable weather allows, St Kilda will be attempted. With a sea journey of up to eight hours, reaching the Archipelago is a true maritime expedition, with the intention to anchor for two nights, exploring Hirta and the stacs. Options for the return journey are the Shiant Islands, the Isle of Skye and the Small Isles to complete an unforgettable trip.

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Planning your st kilda trip – visit a double world heritage site.

St Kilda is a dream destination for many people visiting Scotland, yet you might have never heard about it – and it’s hard to blame you. While it’s on the bucket list of anyone who ‘collects’ World Heritage Sites and a paradise for birders, St Kilda is hardly a regular stop on typical Scotland itineraries. Too far away and tricky to get to, the islands are still a secret among Scotland fans – a secret that will be unveiled for you in this guide to planning your St Kilda trip!

This post contains affiliate links from which I may make a commission. Find out more here . All opinions are my own.

St Kilda is a small island group, approximately 50 miles west off the coast of the Outer Hebrides. There are four main islands – Hirta, Dùn, Soay and Boreray – as well as numerous sea stacks surrounding them. St Kilda is a double Unesco World Heritage Site – the only one in Scotland which carries this title due to its unique natural landscape and its history.

Having been home to a thriving Gaelic community for hundreds of years (more on that below) it is now mostly uninhabited, apart from a year-round military presence as well as wardens and scientists from the National Trust for Scotland who spend several months here during the summer.

All this makes St Kilda a popular day trip destination for nature lovers and history buffs alike. But how do you incorporate this unique location into your already bursting Scotland itinerary? This guide tells you everything you need to know about visiting St Kilda on a day trip.

Hooked on island hopping? The best Scottish Islands to Visit

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Booking a St Kilda trip

The main ingredients of a successful trip to St Kilda are planning and flexibility . You need to know where tour options start from, how to get there and how much time to spend in the area.

Tours run from mid-April to mid-September which coincides with the breeding season of the many seabirds that flock to St Kilda to mate and nest.

Most operators will require you to book far in advance and be available on at least 2 days, just in case a trip has to be cancelled due to adverse weather conditions. While the tours theoretically run Monday to Saturday, there are only 3 trips a week on average.

The flexibility required for a visit to St Kilda means, that you should be prepared to spend a few days in or near the destination from where the tour starts. And that is often the tricky part when trying to fit St Kilda on a regular Scotland holiday.

St Kilda last minute

With all that said though, it is possible to visit St Kilda on fairly short notice if you are flexible and the weather gods are on your side. It is certainly also easier to secure one last-minute spot, than if you wanted to visit as a group.

I managed to score a spot on a Monday boat trip and only phoned the Saturday before – I even managed to fit my hike on the Hebridean Way around the last-minute booking. It can be done, but I had not much choice in terms of dates and if the weather was bad that day, I would not have been able to reschedule for another time.

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Tour operator going to St Kilda

There are three tour operators offering day trips to St Kilda. They leave either from Stein on Skye or Leverburgh on Harris. Both locations have their benefits and disadvantages.

Skye to St Kilda day trips

The Isle of Skye is very easy to get to and since it is already a popular stop on many people’s Scotland itinerary, it would be the easier location to incorporate a St Kilda boat tour in your trip. There is also plenty of things to do on Skye in case you have to wait for the right conditions to board your cruise. You just need to book your accommodation on the island well in advance.

The downside of leaving for St Kilda from Skye is that it’s going to be a long way to get there. It takes 4 hours by speedboat from Stein to St Kilda, which is over an hour more than the journey from Harris. The sea can be rough even in good weather conditions and if you have a sensitive stomach, this is something worth considering.

The upside is that they offer a guided tour on St Kilda, so you don’t have to explore by yourself.

The company operating from Skye is called Go to St Kilda . Their tour leaves the jetty in Stein at 7 am and returns at 8.30 pm. It takes about 40 minutes to drive from Portree to Stein, so you are in for a very long day.

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Harris to St Kilda day trips

The Isle of Harris is part of the Outer Hebrides archipelago which is a beautiful holiday destination in and of itself. Since it takes a couple of hours to get here by car ferry, the islands – also called Western Isles – are not often found on traditional Scotland itineraries.

However, they are well worth a visit and there is plenty to do even just on the two connected islands Harris and Lewis, should you have to wait for your cruise to go ahead. Accommodation here is easier to come by, but should also be booked in advance for the summer months.

St Kilda boat tours leave from Leverburgh in the south of Harris and it takes only about 2 hours and 45 minutes to reach St Kilda from here. The major downside of leaving from Leverburgh is that you need to get here first. If you only have a week or 10 days, planning a trip to the Western Isles will quickly dominate your Scotland itinerary.

When navigating the best connections between the mainland and the islands, I would go for the ferries between Uig and Tarbert on the way there and Stornoway to Ullapool on the way back.  For the rest of your trip, why not utilise my 7-day Scotland itinerary and cut it down accordingly?

There are two companies operating from Leverburgh, Kilda Cruises and Sea Harris . Both leave the harbour at 8 am and aim to be back between 7 and 7.30 pm. The boat of Sea Harris is slightly faster – it takes only 2.5 hours to St Kilda. If you don’t particularly enjoy spending time at sea, every minute can count.

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Costs of a St Kilda trip

A day trip to St Kilda does not come cheap. As a World Heritage Site and a military base, a lot of resources go into making the island hospitable and accessible to the public, and the long boat journey explains the high cost on top of that.

The prices vary. The most expensive is the tour from Skye – most likely because it is also the longest time you spend on the boat. It costs £260 . Cruises from Harris are cheaper and cost between £220  (Sea Harris) and £235 (Kilda Cruises).  – 2021 prices

This includes the boat transfer with an onboard toilet and knowledgable skippers who are happy to answer questions about the local wildlife. Before landing on St Kilda we all received an informative map of the island.

The landing fee of £5/person is also included in the ticket, as are teas and coffees and cake back on the boat after your stay on Hirta. We even got a dram of whisky towards the end of our boat journey with Kilda Cruises!

What to expect on a day trip to St Kilda?

Personally, I went with Kilda Cruises, so I only know for certain what they do – but it seems that Go to St Kilda and Sea Harris offer a very similar experience.

We met our boat and skippers at the harbour for check-in at 7.45 am and set sail at 8 am sharp. They gave us a run-down of the day’s plan, people made introductions to their seat neighbours and off we were. On the way, we could already see our first seabirds, mostly flocks of gannets fishing or flying in graceful formations.

At some point, our skippers spotted a fin on the surface and slowed down immediately. They do what they can to make the boat ride about more than the destination – without wasting too much time, of course. The fin turned out to be a sunfish lying on its side as they normally do – the first they saw this season, our skipper told us.

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We reached St Kilda around 10.45 am, were provided with flotation aids and got onto our little zodiac dinghy to go on shore. Back on land, our skippers left us in the experienced hands of the resident wildlife wardens, who explained a few rules about moving around the island.

They also gave us tips and advice on where to walk, in which order to do it and how to behave if we had an encounter with an angry bird parent – it is the birds’ island after all!

After this brief introduction, we were let loose and had over 4.5 hours to explore at our own pace. St Kilda is a Cultural and a Natural UNESCO World Heritage Site – the only site in Scotland that has this double status.

Following the advice of the wardens, I decided to start by exploring the natural sites of the island. I began making my way to the Gap, a vantage point high above the village, but I did not even have to leave the village to get my first glimpse of the unique natural landscape.

Among the ruins, you can see sheep that look different than any sheep you have ever seen in Scotland. They come in different shades of brown and are smaller and somehow look woollier than sheep back on the mainland.

They are Soay sheep , a breed of domesticated sheep from the island of Soay. For centuries they have developed in isolation and can graze in places domesticated sheep could never go to – they are so agile and sure-footed. The breed is at risk today and the subject of a long-running ecological research project .

After about 30 minutes, I made it to the Gap and my effort to climb the hill behind the village was immediately rewarded with gorgeous views across to Boreray and down the tall sea cliffs of the island. The cliffs here are the tallest in the UK and home to a variety of seabirds.

WARNING: There are no fences or barriers, so you can go up as close as you like – but be aware of the wind; it can change quickly and come in quick bursts, so it’s best to keep a safe distance.

From the Gap, the next obvious natural site to visit, is the highest peak of the island, Conachair .  It is about a 45-minute climb up the steep hillside. Unfortunately, the clouds were rolling in and covered the entire hill in a white blanket and the wind was picking up.

Considering the no-barrier-situation, I decided not to risk anything climbing any higher and returned to the village. On a good day, the views from the top must be beautiful though – a full 360-degree view of all the islands and sea stacks of St Kilda.

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Back in the village, I visited the small  museum to learn about the life people had led on this remote archipelago. Their unique lifestyle is the reason why St Kilda is also a cultural heritage site. The island has been inhabited for thousands of years – there are remains of prehistoric sheepfolds and the oldest building in the medieval village below Conachair dates to between 500 BC and 300 AD.

People lived on the site of this medieval village until well into the 19th century, but in the 1830s they moved into a new settlement of blackhouses. These houses were traditionally built from stone with a turf roof, had only one entrance for people and animals, and a peat fire in the middle. In the ceiling, there would have been a small opening to let out the smoke from the fire, but since this was not particularly efficient, the smoke remained inside, darkening the walls and the lungs of its inhabitants – hence the name, blackhouse.

Thirty years later, new houses with zinc roofs, fireplaces and chimneys were built and life slowly became more modern on the island. WWI disturbed the isolation St Kildans had lived in for centuries and by 1928, most young men had left the island.

In 1930 the islanders decided for a new life and were evacuated to the mainland, along with their cattle and sheep. After thousands of years, the island was once again uninhabited.

Today, there is a military base on Hirta, which has been permanently inhabited since 1957 and provides the essential infrastructure for the wardens of the National Trust for Scotland. It is an unlikely, but symbiotic relationship on the edge of Europe.

After exploring the museum and the remains of the village, I still had plenty of time and started to make my way towards the southern part of Hirta . I left the village, walked through a lush green gully and emerged up the slope facing the south of the village.

The views from here were beautiful and I was surrounded by curly Soay sheep. From here I would have loved to walk further south, towards Dùn, but I was slowly running out of time and had to return to the jetty.

Back on the boat, around 3.30 pm, our skippers served tea, coffee and cake and we exchanged stories of our adventures on Hirta. But the trip was not over yet.

For the next 1.5 hours, we slowly cruised around the remaining islands and sea stacks of St Kilda – and learnt more about the seabirds that come here to nest. Our first stop was Dùn, home to the UK’s largest puffin colony .

Since you can’t go on land here, you don’t actually get near any of the burrows – rather you are surrounded by puffins zooming through the air and diving into the waves to catch fish. They are like a swarm of midges, moving too fast to tell the individuals apart  – until they land in the sea, holding still long enough for you to marvel at them. It was an amazing experience.

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After a 15 minute ride, we reached Boreray which is surrounded by some of the highest sea stacks in the UK. As inhospitable as these rocks look, they offer ideal nesting conditions for millions of seabirds. The world’s second-largest gannet colony comes here to breed, but also other birds like guillemots, fulmars, petrels and skuas.

Throughout the cruise, one of our skippers is out on the deck with us, telling us more about the birds and pointing out the little stone bothies were locals would have stayed every year during hunting season. They would spend several weeks each year on one of these rocks, hunting for gugas (gannet chicks) in the harshest conditions.

Which birds will you see on St Kilda?

“If you don’t see a gannet today, you can get your money back!” – our skipper said with a big smile as we left the harbour of Leverburgh. Minutes later, we were surrounded by flocks of gannets, flying up and down the sides of our boat, diving into the waves to catch fish or simply resting on the water surface. There is no way, you won’t see a gannet on a trip to St Kilda…

But Gannets are not the only birds breeding on St Kilda. I won’t tell you all – you can pick up a small leaflet at the shop on the island, but it is very likely that you will encounter fulmars, oystercatchers, various kinds of gulls, guillemots, puffins, kittiwakes, Great and Arctic skuas, storm-petrels, shearwaters and shags.

Around 5 pm we started making our way back to the Harris – this time with the wind in our back. Gently rocked by the waves, I actually fell asleep on the boat. A peaty smell in my nose woke me – did someone open a whisky?

And indeed, our skipper handed out golden drams – the perfect finish to an adventurous day at sea. We reached Leverburgh just after 7 pm, a once-in-a-lifetime experience richer.

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Packing tips for St Kilda

St Kilda is a very isolated place and once you have left the harbour of Leverburgh or Stein, there are no facilities to stock up on supplies. It is important to bring everything you need with you.

What to wear

I wore active clothes – a hiking outfit, sturdy hiking boots and a rainproof jacket . In my day bag, I had my  waterproof trousers , an additional warm layer and a buff . Throughout the day, I wore them all, so I’m glad I packed in layers!

What else to bring

Since it is a long day, you have to bring your own lunch pack  and water – there is no cafe on St Kilda, only a small shop and toilets. Don’t forget your camera and plenty of batteries and if you’re into bird watching, make sure you have some good zoom lenses  and binoculars .

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St Kilda is a unique place to visit in Scotland and the fact that it takes quite a bit of effort to reach it, makes it even more special. When you do go all the way, you are rewarded with one of the most isolated places in Europe, fascinating history and breathtaking scenery.

Would you want to visit St Kilda?

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22 thoughts on “ Planning your St Kilda trip – Visit a double World Heritage Site ”

Thank you ! Great post A question about the cruises: other companies are sure ? We saw https://www.uistseatours.co.uk/stkilda-trip

Oooh thanks! Need to add them!

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I visited the isle of noss on Shetland in 2016 – all the same birds and all for 30 pound – someone is clearly making a lot of money out of these trips to St Kilda given that the 12 hour ferry from Aberdeen to Lerwick costs half the price. Clearly for the very rich!

Hi Eric, there are some amazing alternatives all over Scotland that are a lot more budget-friendly for sure. I think with St Kilda, the two key factors for the high price point in my eyes are the fact that it’s a double world heritage site (so people might be more prepared to pay a higher fee) and that it’s so remote. Admittedly, the ferry journey to the Outer Hebrides is quicker than to Shetland, but the boat ride out to St Kilda takes quite a long time. The season is also very short and unstable, so the operators have to cover their costs even if many of their tours get cancelled due to the weather conditions. I’m sure there are lots of other reasons, but these just come to my mind. It’s like with many other travel experiences – some people can afford them easily, others have to save up to fulfil such a lifetime experience. I’m glad I was able to tap into my travel savings to visit. I know I would have regretted otherwise!

Yeah, great Eric… So if we are on the outer hebrides, trying to get to the remotest island.. with all its heritage… you recommend us to take a car, some ferries, car again for half a day, up to aberdeen , then take a 12h ferry to Shetlands, in order to spent 30gbp? It is a silly comment you make here. If one is around the Shetlands, ok why not.

In defence of the St Kilda boat trip prices, none of these are subsidised like the ferries that run to Shetland or any island community, and these boats burn 1000 litres per trip, they are limited to spaces of 12 passengers and they also have to soak up costs for trips involving less than full also, then you have the skippers and crews wages, insurances for boat and public liability, then you have a minimum of 80 miles at sea doing 20 knots, the Stein boat has a round trip of 150 nautical miles, but the article is slightly wrong, the Skye passage is 4 hours to get to Village bay, but they do the stacs part first, before going into Village bay, they also offer a guided tour ashore, the only company to do so and the return journey takes 3 hours from leaving Dun to arriving back at the jetty in Stein, where you can if you book ahead dine at the Michelin star restaurant under Chef Michael Smith, at Lochbay, or walk a further 60 miles to dine at celebrity Chef Paul Rankin

Thanks for your comment! The information about the tour from Stein is actually taken straight from the Go to St Kilda website and it says there that they go to Hirta first, and then on to Boreray and the sea stacks after. They also say that the return journey takes approx. 4 hours. I can imagine that depending on weather conditions they might swap the order of islands on the day and they might be faster if the wind is favourable, but I’d rather go with the information provided by the tour company. I will add the info about the guided tour part though – that might be of interest to some people. Cheers!

The website does say that, but I was never one to obey the bosses, ? (I skipper the boat) but a great article and fully informative regarding the info you do give out,

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Never realised how remote St Kilda is! I love the earthy vibes though, definitely on my ever-growing Scotland list.

It certainly makes you appreciate how long it must have taken to travel the world by unmotorised boats one day – and the bumpy rides they must have endured… It’s a gorgeous place though – worth the effort!

What an amazing place! I like that you were able to explore at your own pace. I am adding St Kilda to my bucket list. So beautiful.

Oh, I love Scotland, but I have never been that far north. I would love to see the puffins, they are so cute! It looks picture perfect there.

It’s quite a trek, but so worth it 🙂

Can you believe I’m Scottish currently living in St Kilda in Melbourne and had NO IDEA there was a St Kilda in Scotland haha!! Such stunning photos and such an informative guide!

Ha ha, St Kilda in Melbourne has been doing my head in trying to geo-tag the Scottish St Kilda on Instagram!! You’ll have to plan a trip there when you’re back home it’s quite a trek and an expense, but so worth it!!

Thank you for this post. It just reminds me how big Scotland is and how much more there still is to explore.

My bucket list doesn’t seem to get any shorter… with every trip I add more things to it!!

I love these views! Everything is so wild and raw, and I get why it’s so pricey. Thanks for sharing your experience, I always like to discover new places that are under the radar 🙂

Beautiful photos and a very informative post! This place is now on my bucket list 🙂

Would love to go! It sounds amazing, thanks for sharing your experience! 🙂

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About St Kilda

The islands of St Kilda are situated 41 miles due west of the island of Pabbay in the Sound of Harris. They are so well documented that they need little introduction. These dramatic volcanic islands boast the highest sea cliffs in the UK as well as being the single most important seabird breeding station in North West Europe. Consequently, St. Kilda is one of only 38 locations on the planet, and the only one in the UK, that has been recognised as a UNESCO double World Heritage Site due to the islands’ historical and ecological significance. 

In his 1697 publication, "A Late Voyage to St. Kilda", the travel writer Martin Martin recorded the island’s population at between 180-200 people. The island community owed much of their survival to their main diet of seabirds that were harvested from the surrounding sea cliffs. Over the next two hundred years, St Kilda's population was ravaged by infant mortality, smallpox and gradual depopulation; by 1930 the remaining 36 islanders had petitioned the government to evacuate them from the island. 

St. Kilda is now owned and cared for by the National Trust for Scotland and during the summer season, NTS have a ranger in residence on the main island Hirta. A visit to these haunting islands invariably leaves a lasting imprint on those lucky enough to experience first hand the incredible environment of St. Kilda. 

Many people include St Kilda on their ‘bucket list’ of things to do in their lifetime: we know how special this trip is for many of our customers and endeavour to give them an unforgettable experience – for all the right reasons.

One of the most fascinating aspects of a trip to St Kilda is the chance to see creatures of the sky, sea and the land in their undisturbed natural environment. There is a hugely diverse range of wildlife living in and around these coastal waters. For anyone with an interest in nature, ecology and preservation, rare wildlife and in particular, bird watching, a trip to St Kilda is a must.      

A day excursion with Sea Harris is the perfect way to combine the relaxing but exhilarating experience of a boat trip with observing some of the very best that nature has to offer.

St Kilda is home to some of the most beautiful and diverse species of birds in the world.

The waters of the Outer Hebrides are among the most unpolluted in the world.

The islands of St Kilda have their own unique inhabitants.

"St.Kilda - a dream come true! I loved this trip – it was a dream come true and I would highly recommend Seumas and Sea Harris." Tripadvisor review May 2018 Read Full Review

"I am immensely grateful to Seumas and the crew of the Enchanted Isle. Vic declared it one of the greatest days of his life! The place is extraordinary. " Bill Bailey - comedian, actor, author Read Bill's Blog

"A trip to St.Kilda was definitely one of the best trips in my life. I must reccommend Sea Harris - my experience is they are reliable, friendly, safe." Tripadvisor review September 2018 Read Full Review

Boat trips to St Kilda run three times per week between April and September, departing from Leverburgh harbour at 8am and returning around 7pm.

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• River Cruising

GCT Moscow to St. Petersburg have you done it?

By relevart , January 25, 2006 in River Cruising

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This is my first time with GCT and I was very disappointed when they said they were substituting a WWII memorial and Victory Park tour for a tour of the Kremlin and Armory Museum. We can take the Kremlin Armory tour for $60.00. The War Memorial and Victory Park tour was originally $45.00. They say it is because people didn't like the Kremlin and Armory Museum tour. It looks like a bait and switch to me. I can't imagine people not wanting to visit the Kremlin and Armory. If any of you have done this cruise I would be curious what you thought about these tours.

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We took the GCT Russian cruise two years ago. I would not go to Moscow without going inside the Kremlin and the Armory. I don't understand droping that tour from the trip.

We're on the GCT Moscow/St. Petersburg September 6th cruise and have gotten the notification about the tour changes. We were going to do both anyway, so it's just a higher cost.

Anyone else going on this date?

Believe me, no matter what do take the Kremlin tour. If you have no other possibility, I can recommend an excellent local guide for you. I am a Cruise/Tour Director for AVALON and we will have the Kremlin Armory included and this would never be replaced for something else, UNLESS there is an official event going on in the Kremlin on the date you are there. This is the only possibility. The Kremlin regularly closes the doors without good reason (visit of a foreign dignitary or so).

Check this with Granc Circle (that is your cruise company am I right?)

Thank you Heintje. If you could give me the local guide info if he is able to pick us up at the boat I would be grateful. My e-mail address is [email protected] . All the Grand Circle tours have been switched from the Kremlin so I don't know what the problem is.

The name of the guide is IRA, She has been my local guide several times, and is specialized in Kremlin and Armory (also the treasury). She is prefered guide for individual guests of some of Moscows top hotels. Her e-mail address is:[email protected]

When you write her, you can mention that you received her name and address through me: Hendrik Jan from Holland.

I will sent a copy of this message to your e-mail address.

Good luck and let me know if you managed to get in touch with her; [email protected]

• 4 weeks later...

I am becoming less and less enamored with GCT as time goes on. I sent my Russian visa application to the agency GCT recommended the middle of January, after I called them and asked if I could send it early because I have a 31 day cruise on Orient Lines beginning 3/11. They said yes. Weekly calls and e-mails with promises to get it to me have not been much help. Finally, this week they said it would not be approved until the middle of March because GCT Russia is holding them up, I told them I had sent it to them early because I had an earlier cruise. So, for USD$100 they say I can get it back by March 1. When I e-mailed GCT they said that is why they sent out the Visa application so early. It looks to me like it doesn’t matter when they sent it out but GCT Russia is not going to send the applications in until the middle of March. I was also told by the agency that once the application is approved it would take two weeks for the Embassy in DC to put the Visa in the passport. If I miss my 31 day cruise I will not be happy and it is off to an attorney as I have done everything I can possibly do.

You may want to read the thread on the Frommers site about Grand Circle and their loss of Better Business Bureau Certification.

We have had both good and bad expeiences with GCT. Better to be informed.

http://www.frommers.com/cgi-bin/WebX...2Ft^[email protected]

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