Anyone for a visit to St Kilda?

It would be possible to take in the Monach Islands on the way back.....
'There is no detailed chart available for the Monach Isles but copies of a survey by Captain H.C.Otter dated 1860 can be obtained from the National Library of Scotland for a very modest sum. The attention to detail is amazing with the magnetic variation at 27-5 degrees west in 1861 decreasing 6-5 degrees annually!'
 
What is the weather criteria for a St Kilda trip? What would be ideal, and when does it become "not this time". I understand there are so many variables, but generally speaking.
 
Check your insurance cover as mine did not cover west of the Hebrides by default. If you have time head up to Stornoway and take in the Flannan Isles. There is a gut between the main island with the light house and some small islands immediately to the south. The reported depth in 1983 is mine, about 13 m if IIRC (confirmed by lead line). The rest of the time the echo sounder was off scale but that may have been very soft silt. I can’t remember the length of the lead line but it would have been around 30 meters. Fantastic place to get up on to the top, but the landing is hazardous and the swell will be a couple of meters making transfer from the dinghy only suitable for those agile enough.
 
I did that trip many years ago with three of us on board in a chartered Westerly Storm. We did Oban to St Kilda in one hit, leaving Oban early morning, passed Barra head in the evening, which was the point of no return as once we were committed to running up the west of Barra there are no good anchorages. At that point we had a 'go / no go' discussion after listening to the forecast, with a SW 5-6 forecast we went for it and after a fantastic nights sail arrived in Village bay the following afternoon.

We spent two nights there in very good holding ground, however the squalls are extreme and when we recovered the anchor we found the stock was bent by the sheering about. Then a hop across to Harris sound on the way home via Harris, Skye etc - our normal approach is to make the furthest point of the cruise in the first third of the time available then work our way gently home in the remaining two thirds.

It was a trip we had planned for months, lots of preparation with charts and the Clyde Cruising club handbook, including written approval from the charter company, the army (who were there then) and the national trust. However we were fully prepared to abandon the trip if the forecast had not been good at Barra Head.

St Kilda is a fantastic place, anyone planning a visit should take time to read up on the history and life there before you go, to fully appreciate what you are seeing. I still treasure the St Kilda tie and T shirt the army shop in village bay sold in those days, and recall the fantastic hospitality from those living there at the time.
 
I've been out there once many, many years ago. Ended up on the beach in Village Bay. That may sound like a disaster, but actually it was fully intended as I was hitchhiking on a resupply landing craft :-)
Subsequently to that trip I very narrowly avoided being there for 6 months - traded that for 2 years in Texas. I think I got the better end of the deal!!
 
Kintail said:
What is the weather criteria for a St Kilda trip? What would be ideal, and when does it become "not this time". I understand there are so many variables, but generally speaking.
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We've just come back from there about a week ago. Ideally settled conditions with NW winds. We went from Leverburgh in the Sound of Harris and back. Even in settled conditions found the way out very lumpy but Village Bay was very settled with very little swell in it. There are about 4 yellow mooring buoys in the bay which are used by the St Kilda ferries between about 11 till 3 which you could pick up outside those times. I prefer to anchor and it's clean sand. During the whole time we were there 3days 2nights the wind was around 12 kts NW and really blew down off the hills. Took us about 10 hours each way and interestingly it was 55 miles out there and only 48 miles coming back - tectonic plate movement I suppose!!! The most difficult bit is rock-hopping the Sound of Harris. The local store in Leverburgh is incredably well stocked by the way - 1.5mile walk. There are no facillities in St Kilda. If you know anyone in Qinetic you might be able to get wifi, we weren't able to.
An absolutely stunning place to visit.
Mike
Edited bit, Putting it simply, don't go when there is East or South in the wind. The anchorage gets untenable if the sea gets up and at any time be prepared to get out quickly if there's a change in the weather. Nearest shelter is the Monach Isles about 30 miles away, another rock-hoppers paradise, but well worth a visit for its wildness.
 
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St Kilda during this fine spell of weather

Currently heading for Leverburgh (Sound of Harris) tonight and considering a hop to St Kilda first thing Friday morning. Just wondered if any forumites from this previous thread were in the area and also considering this. the weather looks pretty settled Friday and Saturday and then becoming unsettled on Sunday. We would ideally like to stay Friday night then return Saturday, probably to the Sound of Harris. I know a couple of QinetiQ chaps out there, and try to phone tonight for local knowledge re weather etc.
regards
Angus
 
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