Scottish Islands Explorer - November-December 2016

I

t was interesting to read the article about Dorothy Bruce

who fulfilled her ambition of reaching St Kilda in her

85th year, achieving a total of 48 islands. As a Wildlife

Photographer with a love of the Scottish islands, I have so far

visited only 31 of them, each being special and challenging

in its own way.

It was inevitable that one day St Kilda would be the destination

for my wife and me. Having read the books and articles about

the history and the survival of its people this year was the right

time for us. We arranged a two-week holiday on the Isle of Harris

incorporating the proposed trip to the distant archipelago.

However, conditions out in the Atlantic Ocean and for

getting ashore in Village Bay would have to be good. And it

was into our second week and aer the fourth attempt that

we eventually made it. e three-hour journey involved

pounding waves, but steadily the familiar outlines of the

islands grew ever closer on the horizon.

Atmosphere of the Place

As we arrived in the bay, we had our first distant view of the

main street and the hairs on the back of my neck began rising.

e atmosphere of the place hits immediately when walking

between the old cottages. You could sense being among black

and white ghosts, as if part of an old-movie reel.

I was hoping to get a picture of the St Kilda Wren, a sub -

species in its own right, and aer no more than ten minutes

a familiar bird call was heard on the breeze. My target was

based on top of a cleit, one of those numerous small buildings

once used to store food, such as the seabirds.

With no trees or shrubs, the old stone walls are home to

these diminutive birds and aer a few minutes of stalking it

was a case of mission accomplished. From behind the village

we climbed steeply to e Gap. Eventually reaching the top

of the highest sea-cliffs in Britain, we were not disappointed

with the views out towards the Stacs.

Ready for It

On the way back towards the village I was closer to the

wildlife than intended as an Arctic skua made a stealthy

attack, just missing my head by inches. On the second attack

I was ready for, it whirling my hat above my head. On

departure and sailing passed Stacs Armin and Lee with their

numerous seabirds, we knew that a decision would be needed.

Should this trip be kept as a never-to-repeated, special

memory or do we return? Living in Derbyshire is a long way

from the Scottish islands and its wildlife. However, the love

of these special places will be kept alive by regular talks and

exhibitions, sharing our experiences with like-minded people.

Plans for next year include a visit to Mingulay - our island

number 32.

48 SCOTTISH ISLANDS EXPLORERNOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2016

Responses

St Kilda Wren by the author, Chris Banks

RESPONSES

Chris Banksrevives special memories of visiting St Kilda