St. Kilda and Shiant Islands Seabird colonies

St. Kilda Archipelago

Situated 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 Dolphins, Minke Whales and Common Dolphins.

The Shiant Islands. 

Positioned southeast of the Isle of Lewis in ‘The Minch,’ the ‘Enchanted islands,’ or ‘Shiant Islands’ in Gaelic, offer dramatic scenery combined with dense numbers of seabirds. Several colonies nest here, including… Razorbills, Guillemots, kittiwakes and around 30,000 Puffins. 

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

Details

• Holiday type: All Inclusive
• Departure/Arrive: Oban, Argyll and Bute
• Vessel: Hjalmar Bjørge
• Max number of guests: 10

For more information visit our Useful Information page.

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: Oban; seafood capital of Scotland and known as the Gateway to the Isles.  Our departure point will be the pontoons just off Oban’s North Pier. 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.

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

Day 3: 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.  If conditions allow, a short time ashore before evening meal.

Day 4: If we arrived day 3 then it must be a full day on the island.  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: 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.

Day 6: Back into sheltered waters and make for the Shiant Isles, our 2nd large seabird colony and a miniature version of St Kilda. Different to St kilda and an opportunity to get close to the nesting seabirds as we travel in our dinghy close to the shore.

Day 7: A morning on the Shiants, then head south for an overnight anchorage in the Sound of Sleat. We have many options to anchor here, Isle Ornsay with its picturesque pier and art gallery or Loch Nevis.

Day 8: Our passage will take us down the Sound of Sleat, passing dramatic Mountain scenery and a possible overnight at Tobermory and time ashore at this colourful small town.

Day 9: Head to the Sound of Mull and to Loch Spelve; our favourite spot for final night of your adventure. Loch Spelve is found on the east coast of Mull, a short steam from Oban; very sheltered and a hot bed of Eagles, Red Deer and Otters. With spectacular mountain scenery, local walks and the possibility of Mussels from the local Mussel farm.

Day 10: After a very hearty breakfast to see you on your way, it’s back to Oban for 10:30. ready for departure and a fond farewell.