Map of St Kilda 1698

Map of St Kilda 1698

ID: QZP40_227_P001 DESCRIPTION: St Kilda is made up of the four islands of Hirta (the main island), Dun, Soay and Boreray. They lie approximately 41 miles west of Benbecula in the Western Isles. The islands have been more or less continuously occupied for 2000 years with the main centre of population being located at Village Bay and Gleann Mor. The islands hold much archaeological evidence of Vikings and of early settlers from the Bronze Age. The population of St Kilda was self-sufficient and paid rent, in produce, once a year to the factor, who brought a minister to perform weddings and baptisms. During the 19th century, as more visitors came to St Kilda and people began to rely on imported goods, they became less self-sufficient. During World War I a naval detachment was stationed on Hirta, which resulted in regular deliveries of mail and food. When this service was withdrawn at the end of the war it led to a greater feeling of isolation among the islanders. In 1930 they requested that they be evacuated to the mainland. The islands were bought by the 5th Marquis of Bute who left them to the National Trust for Scotland on his death in 1956. They are now managed by Scottish Natural Heritage. St Kilda is home to the world's largest gannet population, Britain's largest fulmar population and half of Britain's puffins. Also on the island is a Ministry of Defence Radar Station to monitor the Benbecula missile range. The island's human population now consists of military personnel, a warden, scientists and visitors. This map is from 'A Late Voyage to St Kilda, the Remotest of all the Hebrides, or Western Isles of Scotland', by Martin Martin, one of the first tourists to publish an account of his travels in Scotland PLACENAME: St Kilda OLD COUNTY/PARISH: INVERNESS: Harris DATE OF IMAGE: 1698 PERIOD: 1690s SOURCE: Highland Libraries COLLECTION: Fraser Mackintosh Collection (maps) Asset ID: 31043 KEYWORDS: