The history of St Kilda on Hirta Island is one that can only truly be appreciated by visiting the archipelago. When standing on this dual UNESCO protected World Heritage Site, you really can appreciate what life would have been like for those who did inhabit it until 1930.

From its jagged cliffs (the highest in the UK) that locals would climb down to capture birds for food and fuel, to the traditional black houses shared by large families – it’s a place you can’t imagine ever living, but can understand why it was so hard for its last inhabitants to leave.

If you are planning to visit, you can reach the island from both the isles of Skye and Harris with day trips the most popular with visitors - see the link of the crossing we took with SeaHarris. The boat trips are prone to being cancelled however so only run between May and September and even then not every day will have crossings, so make sure you plan enough time on either set off point to have the flexibility of the two-day window they offer.

That said, if you do want to experience the island like few others can, the National Trust of Scotland does amazing work today to protect the space and its wildlife and also run a campsite that you can visit upon request.