On August 29, 1930, 36 people abandoned the only home they’ve ever known and moved to a far off place: the Scottish mainland. Their community on the island of St. Kilda, the most remote place in all of the United Kingdom, had suffered from years of disease, desertion, and famine. By all accounts the the move was completely voluntarily, as most of the residents signed a petition to leave before the winter. But even if it was a logical decision, there were still an emotional response to leaving. One account described the intensity of the evacuation, writing “As the… familiar outline of the island grew faint, the severing of an ancient tie became a reality and the St Kildans gave way to tears.”
Many stories have been written about the emotional evacuation of St. Kilda. But one question that’s rarely asked is, “Why did the St. Kildans stay on the island for so long in the first place?” A community of only 36 people, including just thirteen men, surely considered leaving before it got to that point. So that begs the question, “What motivates people to live on an isolated island far removed from the rest of society?”
Place is a strong force in our lives. It’s far more than the location we happen to live in. It’s the tie that binds us together, the knowledge that we pass down, the stories that we share, and even the ones that we don’t. Our places can create a shared sense of belonging, a reason for living that extend even further than family or community. To an outsider, St. Kilda may seem like a small outpost, one that should be left to the birds. But to a native St. Kildan, the island must have seemed like an entire world, full of wonder and opportunity.
Present Day Threats
Fast forward nearly 95 years later to January 2025. Storm Éowyn barrels down on Northern Ireland and Scotland. The storm shatters existing records in some locations, with wind gusts of up to 114 miles per hour. It was the strongest storm in over a decade, causing millions in damages and destroying thousands of acres of parks and lands across Scotland and Ireland.
Vulnerability to increasing storm impacts is nothing new to St. Kilda. A recent climate report found that the UNESCO World Heritage site is vulnerable to intensifying storms like Éowyn. These storms increase erosion on the shoreline, and the winds can seriously damage historic structures like the cleit, a makeshift hut used to store wild game. Add in sea level rise, which increases flooding and disrupts habitat for local birds, and the island is expected to undergo drastic change.
The impact of Storm Eowyn on St. Kilda is still unknown. But the future of the island is at risk due to ongoing impacts from climate change. Today the island is only occupied by passing tourists and workers of the National Trust of Scotland, which work to maintain and preserve the island and its cultural sites. But humanity stands to lose much more than just these physical structures. St. Kilda is a reminder of our obsession with making due with our environment. And not only making due, but creating something special out of seemingly impossible conditions. The story of St. Kilda reminds us of our deep desire to tame the places we live. And while the community itself no longer exists, their story and memory will survive even the strongest storms.
You can learn more about the future of St. Kilda from the full climate vulnerability index report here. The NTS welcomes donations, which will improve their capacity to conserve and repair the island.
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