St. Kilda & The Shiants

For this cruise to St Kilda and the Shiant Islands, we will be sailing from Ullapool and returning to Ullapool. Transport to and from Inverness can be provided by us to ease your travels.

St. Kilda and the Shiant Islands are two of the remotest and wildest destinations of the Scottish Outer Hebridean Islands. Breathtakingly beautiful these land masses offer glimpses into the untamed beauty of an Atlantic Ocean archipelago and remote islands in the Minch. Both of these fascinating locations are abundant with wildlife and tell a rich history shaped by their isolation. We also intend to stop overnight at Taransay on the way back from St Kilda and if you like Puffins, then this is the trip for you

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Summary

St. Kilda Archipelago

Positioned 40 miles out into the Atlantic Ocean, west of the Outer Hebrides chain and about a 5 hour cruise from the sound of Harris for Hjalmar Bjorge. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to a profusion of wildlife. During Spring and Summer it is home to the second largest Gannet colony in the UK with over 60,000 pairs. Although Gannets may have impressive numbers, St Kilda has 60,000 pairs of Fulmar representing the largest colony of that species in Britain. Most remarkable of all, 25% the British Puffin population- an incredible 150,000 pairs! – nest on St Kilda, as do 90% of Britain’s Leach’s Petrels some 45,000 pairs. Not forgetting an endemic subspecies of Wren; aptly named ‘The St Kilda Wren.‘

We drop anchor at village bay on the main island of Hirta. Named for the village that once existed there, the bay is the only place of a safe anchorage and the only area on the Archipelago that would sustain a community. You will be transported back through time visiting the ruins of the village and some of the reconstructed buildings. Have a look in the Stone cleits, used for storing food they dot the landscape and slopes of the surrounding hills.

The surrounding deep waters can be a great place to see cetaceans including White-beaked Dolphinsof which we had one of the largest pods recorded on one of our trips, Minke Whales and Common Dolphins.

Just to the North of the Sound of Harris, around ‘Toe Head,’ lies Taransey. Made famous for the BBC reality TV series ‘Castaway.’ With its beautiful beaches and rugged terrain, it is a remote, beautiful island to visit with sheltered anchorage. This is often our favoured anchorage on our return from St Kilda.

The Shiant Islands.

Positioned southeast of the Isle of Lewis in ‘The Minch,’ lies the ‘Enchanted islands,’ or ‘Shiant Islands’ in Gaelic, offering dramatic scenery combined with dense numbers of seabirds. Several colonies nest here, including… Razorbills, Guillemots, Kittiwakes and around 60,000 Puffin pairs.

Marine life, such as various species of… Whales, Dolphins and Seals is profuse in the waters that surround these islands making it one of our favourite destinations.

Itinerary

Please note On our best days our itinerary will be smooth transits from one anchorage to another as shown on the program we have offered. However, this is the West Coast of Scotland, and we, are governed by mother nature. So, on occasion, for your comfort and safety, we may need to, tweak, the original course that we are looking to follow. But wherever our tweaking takes us, our trip and destination anchorages will always be special.

Day 1: Ullapool; An attractive important fishing town, bustling in the summer and the main ferry terminal and gateway to Lewis and Harris. Our departure point will be the pontoons in the heart of the town. We look to start boarding Hjalmar Bjorge at around 14:30, a short briefing introducing our new guests to life aboard ship, its safety procedures and getting you settled into your new home for the next 9 nights. Casting off at 15:30 then heading for the first nights anchorage at one of the Summer isles in Loch broom or round the corner at Loch Ewe. Great chance of White tailed eagles and Whales and dolphins.

Day 2: Steam for the Sound of Harris or North Uist and a sheltered anchorage for the night

Day 3&4: Early start for our voyage out to St Kilda, The crossing to the St Kilda group will take in the region of 6 hours and is subject to the weather and sea conditions. If the weather is clear, we will be able to see the silhouette of St. Kilda on the horizon, a memory that will stay with you. We should be entering village bay by the afternoon and be welcomed by the chorus of thousands of Fulmars, Kittiwakes, Gannets, auks and puffins and if conditions allow, a short time ashore before evening meal. We then hope to have a full day on the island but it must be borne in mind that conditions change rapidly out here and at the discretion of the skipper and your safety we may have to alter the length of time here.

Day 5-7: A trip around the Stacks and Boreray, home to the majority of the Gannets in the St kilda group, before heading back to the Sound of Harris and a nearby anchorage such as Taransay. Back into sheltered waters and make for the Shiant Isles, our 2nd large seabird colony and a miniature version of St Kilda. Shiant Isles gives an opportunity to get close to the nesting seabirds as we travel in our dinghy close to the shore.

Day 8: A morning on the Shiants, then head west towards the mainland for an overnight anchorage . This is such a good time for cetaceans and we are likely to get some good records of different species.

Day 9: After a very hearty breakfast to see you on your way, it’s back to Ullapool for 10:30, breakfasted and ready to depart with fond farewells. Our transport will take you back to Inverness for around 1200.