Geoff Brock & Bruce Gamble
         
     
   
 
 
 
S.W. Iceland
 
 
W. Iceland
N.W. Iceland
N. Iceland
E. Iceland
S.E. Iceland
 
Faroe Islands
 
Scotland
 
 

Day 14: St Kilda, Outer Hebrides, Scotland

Returning to St Kilda after two years: A hike to "The Gap",
a walk around the village, a Zodiac cruise and a visit to the Stacs.

Thursday 22nd June 2023
 
 
 
In June 2021, we were here as part of a trip called "Natural Wonders of the British Isles". Covid restrictions were still in place and we were not permitted to go ashore, but we were still able to do Zodiac cruising and take in the beauty of St Kilda. The archipelago isn't known for good weather, but for the second time, we were extremely lucky in that regard. It was a pleasure and a privilege to be back here for another visit. This video is our record of our previous visit.
 
Back to the present and this was our first view of the islands when we woke up.
 
Village Bay, with the old settlement on the island of Hirta ahead of us.
 
The island of Dun is on the left, Hirta on the right.
 
 
 
Bruce chose to do the shorter strenuous hike. Geoff decided to relax on the ship.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
A look around the village would come later. First, it was time for the hike, starting above the village.
 
 
 
 
 
 
The walk became steeper as we approached the edge of the cliff.
 
The views from this high up were lovely, looking across to Boreray and the Stacs.
 
The cliffs below us were full of life.
 
 
 
A view in both directions.
 
 
 
 
Coming back down, there was time for a look around the old settlement.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Returning to the ship for lunch.
 
 
 
Food on the ship is always beautifully presented, but the staff has made an extra-special effort today.
 
 
 
Disembarking again, this time for a Zodiac cruise in the bay.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Looking through the island of Dun to the other side. Too risky to sail through this one...
 
...but this gap looked more promising.
 
Susan, our driver, decided to go through it.
 
We were the first ones through the gap. Soon others joined us.
 
...and these were the scenes on the other side.
 
 
 
 
 
We went back through the gap to return to the bay.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Geoff kept an eye out for Bruce's arrival back to the ship.
 
 
 
Afternoon tea was another special occasion.
 
 
Soon afterwards, the anchor was raised and we began our cruise over to Boreray and the Stacs.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Another wonderful day was over as we spent our last night aboard en-route to Oban.
 
 
 
©Geoff Brock and Bruce Gamble