Visiting St Kilda, Scotland?

This unofficial St Kilda Saints fan forum is for people of all ages to chat Saints Footy and all posts must be respectful.

Moderators: Saintsational Administrators, Saintsational Moderators

Post Reply
User avatar
saintsRrising
Saintsational Legend
Posts: 30037
Joined: Mon 15 Mar 2004 11:07am
Location: Melbourne
Has thanked: 701 times
Been thanked: 1212 times

Visiting St Kilda, Scotland?

Post: # 1665844Post saintsRrising »

I have recently decided to visit Scotland next year as part of a UK+ Ireland trip.

Naturally being a diehard Saint the thought of visiting St Kilda, Scotland, popped into my thoughts.

But it is not so easy. as it is in the middle of nowhere!

See http://www.kilda.org.uk/visiting.htm#.WQbYu9p95EY

And http://www.gotostkilda.co.uk/ and http://www.gotostkilda.co.uk/book-now Day trips are a bit pricey, but so bad for a once in a lifteime experience and are cheaper than a Grand Final Ticket!


Has any forumite visited St Kilda, Scotland? If so, do you have any tips or advice.
Last edited by saintsRrising on Mon 01 May 2017 5:58pm, edited 1 time in total.


Flying the World in comfort thanks to FF Points....
bigcarl
Saintsational Legend
Posts: 18350
Joined: Thu 11 Mar 2004 1:36am
Has thanked: 1706 times
Been thanked: 792 times

Re: Visiting St Kilda, Scotland?

Post: # 1665846Post bigcarl »

I hope you like the taste of seabirds sRr.


longtimesaint
Club Player
Posts: 1855
Joined: Thu 01 May 2008 6:30pm
Location: Mentone
Has thanked: 16 times
Been thanked: 263 times

Re: Visiting St Kilda, Scotland?

Post: # 1665847Post longtimesaint »

saintsRrising wrote:I have recently decided to visit Scotland next year as part of a UK+ Ireland trip.

Naturally being a diehard Saint the thought of visiting St Kilda, Scotland, popped into my thoughts.

But it is not so easy. as it is in the middle of nowhere!

See http://www.kilda.org.uk/visiting.htm#.WQbYu9p95EY

And http://www.gotostkilda.co.uk/ and http://www.gotostkilda.co.uk/book-now


Has any forumite visited St Kilda, Scotland? If so, do you have any tips or advice.
I have never visited but my wife comes from Scotland and I can tell you it is very remote and wild.
Strong winds and rough seas to get there.
If you are lucky to get good weather views would be outstanding.


One year will be our year
User avatar
saintsRrising
Saintsational Legend
Posts: 30037
Joined: Mon 15 Mar 2004 11:07am
Location: Melbourne
Has thanked: 701 times
Been thanked: 1212 times

Re: Visiting St Kilda, Scotland?

Post: # 1665851Post saintsRrising »

longtimesaint wrote: I have never visited but my wife comes from Scotland and I can tell you it is very remote and wild.
Strong winds and rough seas to get there.
If you are lucky to get good weather views would be outstanding.
Remote and wild is often my preferred travel taste.

Ok with the winds rough seas too as I have done a fair bit sailing, but yes their idea of rough seas is ROUGH!

It would require a fair bit of time and effort though for what would most likely be a day trip. But what a memory it would make :wink:

It is certainly tempting enough to research what is achievable, and for myself planning a trip is all part of the fun.


Flying the World in comfort thanks to FF Points....
User avatar
Waltzing St Kilda
SS Hall of Fame
Posts: 2069
Joined: Sun 14 Mar 2010 5:20am
Location: Melbourne
Has thanked: 2 times
Been thanked: 322 times

Re: Visiting St Kilda, Scotland?

Post: # 1665856Post Waltzing St Kilda »

It's not too hard. Hire a car and do a jaunt through the Highlands. See Fort William, Glencoe (the Three Sisters) and Eilean Donan Castle. Stay at a hotel on the Isle of Skye (and do some driving around the island, which is pretty surreal and includes Storr
-- look it up). You can take a boat trip from Skye to St Kilda. Best to do this in April-October as beyond that the weather can get wild and night falls as early as 4 pm. In these months you can also do a trip on the Jacobite Steam Train (seen in the Harry Potter films) or just watch it cross the viaduct at Glenfinnan (where the Highlander -- "there can be only one" -- came from.)

All that can be done in three days. Spend the rest of the time in Edinburgh with a day-trip to Glasgow (only about an hour away by train). There are also bus tours into the Highlands from Edinburgh but make sure you don't do just a day-trip as you won't get far enough. Loch Ness is just a big body of water and can be safely avoided. The Three Bridges at South Queensferry 9not far from Edinburgh) also deserve a look.


User avatar
saintsRrising
Saintsational Legend
Posts: 30037
Joined: Mon 15 Mar 2004 11:07am
Location: Melbourne
Has thanked: 701 times
Been thanked: 1212 times

Re: Visiting St Kilda, Scotland?

Post: # 1665859Post saintsRrising »

Thanks
Waltzing St Kilda wrote: -- look it up). You can take a boat trip from Skye to St Kilda.
and yes I have already and hence my link on booking trips in the OP.

My reference to the hard part is that you probably have to stick to a day trip, as to get dropped off to stay or two would require two hefty one day transport fees.
Last edited by saintsRrising on Mon 01 May 2017 6:50pm, edited 1 time in total.


Flying the World in comfort thanks to FF Points....
User avatar
Waltzing St Kilda
SS Hall of Fame
Posts: 2069
Joined: Sun 14 Mar 2010 5:20am
Location: Melbourne
Has thanked: 2 times
Been thanked: 322 times

Re: Visiting St Kilda, Scotland?

Post: # 1665860Post Waltzing St Kilda »

Make sure you secure a decent hotel though as the cheaper ones can be pretty bad (by European standards anyway).


User avatar
saintbrat
Saintsational Legend
Posts: 44575
Joined: Tue 09 Mar 2004 4:11pm
Location: saints zone
Has thanked: 6 times
Been thanked: 188 times

Re: Visiting St Kilda, Scotland?

Post: # 1665861Post saintbrat »

2 Saintsationalists have been there
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=90136&hilit=St+Kilda+isle&start=25

gershwin
Yes Loris it was me that went to the island of St Kilda back in 2013.
Actually the island is called Hirta and it is in the group of islands called St Kilda.
We had lovely weather which is unusual as at least half of the time trips are cancelled because the sea is too rough. The National Trust look after the islands and apparently there is a St Kilda scarf in their bunkhouse. When I moved to Scotland earlier in 2013 I didn't take over any of my many St Kilda scarfs but my wife did a great job of knitting one in the weeks before we went to St Kilda. It was a nice moment to display it and have a photo taken.
I'm still living in Scotland but will return to Australia to live in the near future.
and Verdun 66
Coincidentally my wife and I are going on a cruise of the Hebrides in late June this year. And we go to St Kilda. Have seen many photos and TV shows about the place, so I know exactly what it looks like. Really looking forward to it. Will take a scarf! And hope for good weather.


StReNgTh ThRoUgH LoYaLtY
Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly..!!
Image
MEMBERSHIP 2014 31,134 Membership 2015 32,746 MEMBERSHIP 2016 - 38,101
MEMBERSHIP 2017 42,095 , Membership 2018 46,998
MEMBERSHIP 2019 43,106 http://saintsational.net/viewtopic.php? ... 9#p1816890
MEMBERSHIP 2020 48,588 http://saintsational.net/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=100107
User avatar
saintsRrising
Saintsational Legend
Posts: 30037
Joined: Mon 15 Mar 2004 11:07am
Location: Melbourne
Has thanked: 701 times
Been thanked: 1212 times

Re: Visiting St Kilda, Scotland?

Post: # 1665863Post saintsRrising »

They do have a 2 day camping option though.

TOUR DETAILS
Book now
Time: 7:00am Day One - 8:30pm Day TwoDeparts from: Uig Pier, Isle of Skye. View Map Operates: May 10th - 11th (fully booked), May 12th - 13th, and July 15th -16th 2017 Price: £450 per person + £12pppn camp site fee


That is a fair bit more than my average per day travel cost though! Plus for example based on current costs Europe Return is only about $180 for me and so the baot trip will cost many times more than my flight costs to Europe.


Flying the World in comfort thanks to FF Points....
User avatar
saintsRrising
Saintsational Legend
Posts: 30037
Joined: Mon 15 Mar 2004 11:07am
Location: Melbourne
Has thanked: 701 times
Been thanked: 1212 times

Re: Visiting St Kilda, Scotland?

Post: # 1665864Post saintsRrising »

saintbrat wrote:2 Saintsationalists have been there
Thank you for that.


Flying the World in comfort thanks to FF Points....
User avatar
saintsRrising
Saintsational Legend
Posts: 30037
Joined: Mon 15 Mar 2004 11:07am
Location: Melbourne
Has thanked: 701 times
Been thanked: 1212 times

Re: Visiting St Kilda, Scotland?

Post: # 1665865Post saintsRrising »

Waltzing St Kilda wrote:Make sure you secure a decent hotel though as the cheaper ones can be pretty bad (by European standards anyway).

Plus would need to be for a few nights as there seems to be a high chance that trips can be cancelled die the weather.


Flying the World in comfort thanks to FF Points....
User avatar
saintsRrising
Saintsational Legend
Posts: 30037
Joined: Mon 15 Mar 2004 11:07am
Location: Melbourne
Has thanked: 701 times
Been thanked: 1212 times

Re: Visiting St Kilda, Scotland?

Post: # 1665866Post saintsRrising »

saintbrat wrote: and Verdun 66
Coincidentally my wife and I are going on a cruise of the Hebrides in late June this year. And we go to St Kilda. Have seen many photos and TV shows about the place, so I know exactly what it looks like. Really looking forward to it. Will take a scarf! And hope for good weather.
Will have to at least check out the Cruise Options.


Flying the World in comfort thanks to FF Points....
User avatar
magnifisaint
Saintsational Legend
Posts: 7641
Joined: Sun 02 May 2004 2:52am
Has thanked: 187 times
Been thanked: 528 times

Re: Visiting St Kilda, Scotland?

Post: # 1665873Post magnifisaint »

I reckon we should play one home game a year there.


Posting 20 years of holey crap!
mullet
Saintsational Legend
Posts: 5109
Joined: Wed 04 Aug 2004 3:18pm
Has thanked: 12 times
Been thanked: 30 times

Re: Visiting St Kilda, Scotland?

Post: # 1665876Post mullet »

Scotland is fantastic. Get a train down to sterling. Spend the day there. Fantastic old town with an awesome castle.


User avatar
avid
Club Player
Posts: 1579
Joined: Tue 11 Mar 2008 1:54am
Location: St Kilda
Has thanked: 15 times
Been thanked: 83 times

Re: Visiting St Kilda, Scotland?

Post: # 1665881Post avid »

I've never been to Scotland, but I'm making mycontribution to the discussion by posting my avatar -- that's what St Kilda looks like.
Looks little chilly for me.
(But I can make out 'A V i d' spelt out in its rocky form.)


Gershwin
Club Player
Posts: 1558
Joined: Tue 06 Apr 2004 2:05pm
Location: NE Victoria
Has thanked: 19 times
Been thanked: 283 times

Re: Visiting St Kilda, Scotland?

Post: # 1665886Post Gershwin »

Yes as posted above I was lucky enough to get there a few years ago and it was one of the best things I have done. The football connection is one thing but the island itself is amazing. On a day trip you get enough time to walk around and see the old village (some houses have been restored) and to see the dramatic cliffs and masses of seabirds.
We went from Leverburgh on the Isle of Harris where we stayed in a self-contained cottage for a week. This was worth it too. Book for a couple of days if you can and then it is just a matter of crossing your fingers and hoping for fine weather.
I wouldn't fancy camping there - the 4-5 hours you get there on the day trip is enough.
Let me know if you have any more questions.


summertime and the living is easy ........
User avatar
saintsRrising
Saintsational Legend
Posts: 30037
Joined: Mon 15 Mar 2004 11:07am
Location: Melbourne
Has thanked: 701 times
Been thanked: 1212 times

Re: Visiting St Kilda, Scotland?

Post: # 1665890Post saintsRrising »

Gershwin wrote:Yes as posted above I was lucky enough to get there a few years ago and it was one of the best things I have done. The football connection is one thing but the island itself is amazing. On a day trip you get enough time to walk around and see the old village (some houses have been restored) and to see the dramatic cliffs and masses of seabirds.
We went from Leverburgh on the Isle of Harris where we stayed in a self-contained cottage for a week. This was worth it too. Book for a couple of days if you can and then it is just a matter of crossing your fingers and hoping for fine weather.
I wouldn't fancy camping there - the 4-5 hours you get there on the day trip is enough.
Let me know if you have any more questions.
Thank you.

Did you day trip from or from Leverburgh nearby Berneray ?

Do you remember who you arranged the day trip through?


Flying the World in comfort thanks to FF Points....
User avatar
White Winmar
Saintsational Legend
Posts: 5014
Joined: Tue 02 Jun 2009 10:02pm

Re: Visiting St Kilda, Scotland?

Post: # 1665891Post White Winmar »

Was booked to go way back in 1991, SR. Cancelled due to crap weather and I couldn't hang around for the next one. Even had my saints jumper and Sherrin for the big shot! And this was in the summer, so I can only imagine how hardy the souls who lived there must have been to survive the winters!


I started with nothing and I've got most of it left!
User avatar
saintbrat
Saintsational Legend
Posts: 44575
Joined: Tue 09 Mar 2004 4:11pm
Location: saints zone
Has thanked: 6 times
Been thanked: 188 times

Re: Visiting St Kilda, Scotland?

Post: # 1665893Post saintbrat »

Gershwin wrote:Yes as posted above I was lucky enough to get there a few years ago and it was one of the best things I have done. The football connection is one thing but the island itself is amazing. On a day trip you get enough time to walk around and see the old village (some houses have been restored) and to see the dramatic cliffs and masses of seabirds.
We went from Leverburgh on the Isle of Harris where we stayed in a self-contained cottage for a week. This was worth it too. Book for a couple of days if you can and then it is just a matter of crossing your fingers and hoping for fine weather.
I wouldn't fancy camping there - the 4-5 hours you get there on the day trip is enough.
Let me know if you have any more questions.

from memory you provided a photo gershwin?


StReNgTh ThRoUgH LoYaLtY
Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly..!!
Image
MEMBERSHIP 2014 31,134 Membership 2015 32,746 MEMBERSHIP 2016 - 38,101
MEMBERSHIP 2017 42,095 , Membership 2018 46,998
MEMBERSHIP 2019 43,106 http://saintsational.net/viewtopic.php? ... 9#p1816890
MEMBERSHIP 2020 48,588 http://saintsational.net/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=100107
User avatar
Verdun66
SS Hall of Fame
Posts: 2152
Joined: Tue 09 Mar 2004 6:46am
Location: Dubai, UAE
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 2 times

Re: Visiting St Kilda, Scotland?

Post: # 1665910Post Verdun66 »

We went last year. June I think. We went on a fairly large boat, and the weather was ok. We were on the Hebridean Princess as part of a longer journey. Not cheap! We all got a bit seasick going out, including most of the crew! We met some others there who had gone on smaller boats and taken longer journeys. They had all been as sick as dogs. They did not want to do the journey back. You have to do it in summer, and try to time it for reasonable weather. Difficult! Either you have great sea legs, or get every sea sick remedy going!

Was a fantastic place. Scenery and atmosphere incredible.The millions of birds there and on the surrounding sea stacks were a sight i'll never forget. The history is fascinating. The people were moved off in the thirties and some of the males became forestry workers on the mainland. Pretty ironic given there are no trees on St Kilda, and none of them had seen a tree in all their lives!

Highly recommended. I brilliantly left my Saints scarf on the boat, so didn't quite get the shot I was after.


Superboot
SS Hall of Fame
Posts: 2491
Joined: Tue 14 Jun 2005 9:11pm
Location: Behind the goal, South Road end
Has thanked: 31 times
Been thanked: 35 times

Re: Visiting St Kilda, Scotland?

Post: # 1665937Post Superboot »

Make sure you drive through Glen Coe. Spectacular.


User avatar
kosifantutti
Saintsational Legend
Posts: 8568
Joined: Fri 21 Jan 2005 9:06am
Location: Back in town
Has thanked: 524 times
Been thanked: 1522 times

Re: Visiting St Kilda, Scotland?

Post: # 1665941Post kosifantutti »

saintbrat wrote:
Gershwin wrote:Yes as posted above I was lucky enough to get there a few years ago and it was one of the best things I have done. The football connection is one thing but the island itself is amazing. On a day trip you get enough time to walk around and see the old village (some houses have been restored) and to see the dramatic cliffs and masses of seabirds.
We went from Leverburgh on the Isle of Harris where we stayed in a self-contained cottage for a week. This was worth it too. Book for a couple of days if you can and then it is just a matter of crossing your fingers and hoping for fine weather.
I wouldn't fancy camping there - the 4-5 hours you get there on the day trip is enough.
Let me know if you have any more questions.

from memory you provided a photo gershwin?
Reprinted without permission.

Image


Macquarie Dictionary Word of the Year for 2023 "Kosi Lives"
User avatar
samuraisaint
Saintsational Legend
Posts: 5685
Joined: Sun 25 Sep 2011 3:23pm
Location: M32
Has thanked: 762 times
Been thanked: 735 times

Re: Visiting St Kilda, Scotland?

Post: # 1665985Post samuraisaint »

Years ago when I lived In London a mate of mine who was from Irvine invited me and my girlfriend to stay at his family home on the bleak west coast of Scotland. I never got to St. Kilda but the name St. Kilda is everywhere in Irvine. Near my mate's mum's place all the streets were named St. Kilda; St. Kilda St, St. Kilda Rd, St. Kilda Lane, St. Kilda Ave, etc.

The west coast near Stranraer is not a pretty place, but it is certainly picturesque, and the people are amazing. Have a great time. I went there in summer, and as a few have already posted, going in winter would definitely not be for the faint of heart.


Your friendly neighbourhood samurai.
User avatar
saintsRrising
Saintsational Legend
Posts: 30037
Joined: Mon 15 Mar 2004 11:07am
Location: Melbourne
Has thanked: 701 times
Been thanked: 1212 times

Re: Visiting St Kilda, Scotland?

Post: # 1665989Post saintsRrising »

saintsRrising wrote:
Gershwin wrote:Yes as posted above I was lucky enough to get there a few years ago and it was one of the best things I have done. The football connection is one thing but the island itself is amazing. On a day trip you get enough time to walk around and see the old village (some houses have been restored) and to see the dramatic cliffs and masses of seabirds.
We went from Leverburgh on the Isle of Harris where we stayed in a self-contained cottage for a week. This was worth it too. Book for a couple of days if you can and then it is just a matter of crossing your fingers and hoping for fine weather.
I wouldn't fancy camping there - the 4-5 hours you get there on the day trip is enough.
Let me know if you have any more questions.
Thank you.

Did you day trip from or from Leverburgh nearby Berneray ?

Do you remember who you arranged the day trip through?
Was it Kilda Cruises?

http://www.kildacruises.co.uk/


For those interested there is a Trip Video
https://youtu.be/qCPS7Fs63uY


Flying the World in comfort thanks to FF Points....
Gershwin
Club Player
Posts: 1558
Joined: Tue 06 Apr 2004 2:05pm
Location: NE Victoria
Has thanked: 19 times
Been thanked: 283 times

Re: Visiting St Kilda, Scotland?

Post: # 1666003Post Gershwin »

saintsRrising wrote:
saintsRrising wrote:
Gershwin wrote:Yes as posted above I was lucky enough to get there a few years ago and it was one of the best things I have done. The football connection is one thing but the island itself is amazing. On a day trip you get enough time to walk around and see the old village (some houses have been restored) and to see the dramatic cliffs and masses of seabirds.
We went from Leverburgh on the Isle of Harris where we stayed in a self-contained cottage for a week. This was worth it too. Book for a couple of days if you can and then it is just a matter of crossing your fingers and hoping for fine weather.
I wouldn't fancy camping there - the 4-5 hours you get there on the day trip is enough.
Let me know if you have any more questions.
Thank you.

Did you day trip from or from Leverburgh nearby Berneray ?

Do you remember who you arranged the day trip through?
Was it Kilda Cruises?

http://www.kildacruises.co.uk/



For those interested there is a Trip Video
https://youtu.be/qCPS7Fs63uY
Yes it was Kilda Cruises from Leverburgh on the Isle of Harris. They were very good. The main issue determining whether the boats go or not is the sea conditions at St Kilda. They only have a very small pier there and you have to disembark from the big boat to a rubber ducky to go to the pier. If the sea is too rough this is too dangerous so the boats don't even leave to go to St Kilda. As I have mentioned we had a glorious day, flat seas and blue sky. The Outer Hebrides of Scotland are one of the loveliest and interesting places you can go to so even if St Kilda doesn't work out for you it won't be a wasted trip.


summertime and the living is easy ........
Post Reply