Some places in my Scotland

Oh wow!!

Awesome!

They are excellent clans, love the one of Loch Leven and the geese taking off!

Brilliant Pics Clans! I love the waterfall in the cave! The Loch is lovey as well. Keep em coming Clans xxx

St Kilda then and now.


The Evacuation

Gradually the St Kildans lost their self- sufficiency, relying on imports of food, fuel and building materials and furnishing for their homes. In 1852, 36 people emigrated to Australia, and population decline began (many of the emigrants died en-route, but a few settled in Melbourne, and to this day a suburb of the city is called St Kilda). The islanders felt increasingly isolated from the outside world and disliked particularly the lack of regular communications.

In 1876, during a period of food shortage, the first St Kilda mailboat was sent out as a distress signal. A letter was sealed in a wooden container with a sheep's bladder acting as a float. Subsequently, many of these mailboats were consigned to the sea, and most reached shore in Scotland or Scandinavia carried by the prevailing currents.

In 1912 there were acute food shortages and in 1913 an outbreak of influenza. The war of 1914-18 brought a naval detachment to Hirta and regular deliveries of mail and food from naval supply vessels. When these services were withdrawn at end of war feelings of isolation increased. There was more emigration of able-bodied young islanders and a breakdown of the island economy. In 1930 the remaining 36 islanders requested evacuation to the mainland.

What a sad story Clans, what happened after the last men left the Island? Is it populated now?

I love you stories, please keep them coming. xxxx

Clansman wrote:Loch Leven in Fife,the castle on the island is where Mary Queen of Scots was held prisoner.Guid fly fishing fer the famous Loch Leven trout.

What a stunning place to live Clans!

EarthsAngel wrote:What a sad story Clans, what happened after the last men left the Island? Is it populated now?

I love you stories, please keep them coming. xxxx

St Kilda became a World Heritage Site in 1986 in recognition of its Natural Heritage; for its exceptional natural beauty and for the significant natural habitats that it supports. In July 2004 this was extended to include the surrounding marine environment. In July 2005 further recognition for the islands cultural heritage was awarded making it one of only a few places in the world with Dual World Heritage Status for both its natural and cultural significance.

The archipelago of St Kilda is 41 miles west of Benbecula in Scotland's Outer Hebrides. Only Rockall is further away from the Scottish mainland. The population here had struggled against the elements and their remoteness, and in 1930 the entire population were taken off St Kilda, and St Kilda left to its birds. Today the islands with their cliffs and sea stacs, form the most important seabird breeding habitat in north-west Europe. And the entire archipelago is owned by the National Trust for Scotland.

The name St. Kilda is believed to be derived from the Norse word skildir, meaning "shields". The islands were originally created by a large volcanic explosion. Hirta is the largest island in the St Kilda group, then there is Soay, two kilometres northwest of Hirta; and Boreray, six kilometres northeast of Hirta. There are several smaller islets including Dun, Levinish, Stac Lee and Stac an Armin. The only settlement was at Village Bay (Scottish Gaelic: Bàgh a' Bhaile) on Hirta.

The sea cliffs are particularly dramatic. The highest point is Conachair at 430 metres, whose whole north face is a vertical cliff over 300 metres high, dropping straight into the sea. Boreray reaches 384 metres and Soay 378 metres. In addition to these, there are several offshore stacks (the technical word for vertical pillars of rock). The tallest, Stac An Armin, is 196 metres high; another, Stac Lee, is 172 metres.

St. Kilda had apparently been inhabited since prehistoric times, but conditions were hard, and many emigrated to the United States and Australia. Lack of proper midwifery between 1830 and 1843 resulted in 80% infant mortality from tetanus. By 1891 the population had declined to such a level that the archipelago's economy broke down. Food shortages were recorded in 1912 and an outbreak of influenza in 1913. Eventually the islanders asked the government to take them all of St Kilda. On 29 August 1930, the final 36 inhabitants left for the Scottish mainland.

The islands were purchased in 1931 by Lord Dumfries (later 5th Marquess of Bute), who bequeathed them to the National Trust for Scotland when he died in 1956.

Although there is no permanent population today, the main island of Hirta is in fact occupied all year round by people working in the military base there and by scientists carrying out research on the feral Soay sheep population. The military base is part of the Hebrides missile tracking range.

It is a breeding ground for many important seabird species including gannets, of which it has the world's largest colony; puffins; and Leach's Petrels. The small island of Dun is home to the largest colony of fulmars in Britain. There is also a variety of wren, Troglodytes troglodytes hirtensis, endemic to St. Kilda.

Thanks for that Clans, really interesting. The Church is so lovely and your words were even lovelier xxxx

I found a book, so will have a look through it see if there is anything worth posting on your Scotland.

Beautiful Clans!! That waterfall is amazing!! When it reaches the bottom, is there a lake or river that it flows into? I envy you living is such a stunning place.

It mair or less falls straight intae the sea

This is a lovely thread Clans, I hope you post a lot more here, makes my day to see the rugged beauty of Scotland.

Clansman wrote:Some photies of Falkland Palace



'The bruce fountain with Falkland hill in the background.





Falkland village from Falkland hill



www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/.../index.html

I love the quaint building in the village Clans.

Really beautiful pics x

Clans...some amazing scenery in Scotland..very beautiful.xx
Hope u and leaf are well..((hugs)) to you both xx

Clans, the Abbey seems to be in pretty good condition considering its age. What a pity such old buildings aren't taken care of through the centuries. That kind of Architecture should be preserved.

Keep the pics coming Clans, they are really wonderful to look at xxxx

Scotland..beautiful as always.