St Kilda- any help appreciated

[Louisa]

I'm planning a holiday to Scotland in September and I'm thinking of the western isles. I know how to get to Stornoway (roughly) but does anyone know if it's possible to get to the remote island of St Kilda from the western isles? Ideally id like to stay a few days, I've searched online and information is sketchy. Anyone?

Louisa.

[Alan Medic]

http://www.kilda.org.uk/visiting.htm#.U6WNDJRdWSo

This type of sketchy?

[Townleygreen]

The only accommodation is a small campsite...have you seen this page, which is helpful http://www.kilda.org.uk/frame8.htm

[Otta]

I came to this thread all ready to talk about St Kikda in Melbourne. Now that's a cool place.

[raasaygirl]

Even if you only get as far as Harris, you will be visiting one of the most beautiful places in the world!

If it was me, I would go to Tarbert instead of Stornoway, and down to North Uist and Berneray...if St Kilda is out of the question due to cost. Have a look at the Calmac ferry site.

[wee quinnie]

Otta Wrote:

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> I came to this thread all ready to talk about St

> Kikda in Melbourne. Now that's a cool place.

I think it's full of yuppie types these days. Was great about 20 years ago!

[Otta]

It didn't seem like that when I was there about 8 years ago to be honest.

[Alan Medic]

What are yuppie types? I presume anyone who bothered to go there has an appreciation of remoteness at the very least.

[wee quinnie]

Alan Medic Wrote:

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> What are yuppie types? I presume anyone who

> bothered to go there has an appreciation of

> remoteness at the very least.

The yuppie types i was referring to inhabit St Kilda in Melbourne, not the Scottish island (which sounds wonderful).

As for the Melbourne version - on further reflection, I think "yuppie" was the wrong term. Basically what i was getting at, was that in becoming increasingly wealthy it has lost much of its charm of years gone by. Last time I was there was 2011.

[Robert Poste's Child]

Louisa, I'm trying to plan something similar though hadn't got as far as deciding which islands to visit. Would love to hear your final itinerary in case it gives me ideas!

[Louisa]

Thank you for the website links AM and TownleyGreen. It's not as complicated as I first thought. Initially I was looking at flights from down here upto Glasgow and then a hire car to Ullapool and ferry over to Stornoway and then some sort of marine transportation across to the island. However on reflection it would seem driving to Oban and a ferry to bottom of the island of Lewis would be the easiest route and then if the weather is ok the night ferry 14 hours over to St Kilda would be great. I've found a wonderful Website specialising in luxury accommodation on the remote island of Lewis http://www.hebrideanhuts.co.uk so I plan to spend a week in one of these and then head over to St Kilda for 5 nights camping.

Louisa.

[Townleygreen]

Midgie repellant must be packed and worn, of course!

[Robert Poste's Child]

When would be best to go to avoid midges? My legs are covered in bites and I haven't left Dulwich.

[Townleygreen]

I'm no expert, Flora, but this suggests June-Sept is their main time. It also suggests good remedies?

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g186485-i107-k4784168-Regarding_midges-Scotland.html

[*Bob*]

Ditch the usual 'repellents' and order in some Avon 'Skin So Soft'

Good enough for the soldiers at Faslane.

[Seabag]

*Bob* Wrote:

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> Ditch the usual 'repellents' and order in some

> Avon 'Skin So Soft'

>

> Good enough for the soldiers at Faslane.

Wot *Bob* said

It's way by far the best stuff

[Townleygreen]

that's what the website I linked to says, too

[Jeremy]

Someone in "general ED issues" is asking about flee treatments for cats... worth a shot?

[Seabag]

Who'd have thunk it

http://midgeforecast.co.uk

A site for midges in Scotland

Did you know 2million midges weigh a kilo, yeah you do now!

[MrsMcC]

Check out Mosquito Milk, very good http://www.chemistdirect.co.uk/brands/mosquito-milk/bnd-2n2

[El Pibe]

blimey, there's about 100 grammes worth hanging around outside my window most evenings then!!!

[MrBen]

St Kilda is by all accounts a marvellous place with an amazing history. Did you know the inhabitants developed extra long toes after hundreds of years as they used to climb the cliffs for gull eggs?

There are some great books on the place and recollections from some of the last survivors of the generation that was cleared off the island.

Its notoriously difficult to get to due to currents, unpredictable weather and distance. My dad tried twice by sail boat (which he chartered with his crew) and had to turn back before one summer he finally made it. It's quite an achievement just to get there. I'd love to go.

[Jeremy]

What do you do when you get there?

I can see how you could pass a couple of hours strolling around the ruins of the village. At a push, maybe you could take some photos of birds and shit. What then? It's barely big enough to go for a proper hike (and hiking's crap without a pub lunch).

[david_carnell]

MrBen Wrote:

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> St Kilda is by all accounts a marvellous place

> with an amazing history. Did you know the

> inhabitants developed extra long toes after

> hundreds of years as they used to climb the cliffs

> for gull eggs?

>

Perhaps I have ancestors from there. Would explain a lot.

[Help-Ma-Boab]

stay indoors and listen to Midge Ure

Jeremy Wrote:

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> What do you do when you get there?