Archipelago Of St Kilda With Music On History Visit To North Atlantic Scotland

Tour Scotland short 4K travel video clip, with Scottish music, of the archipelago of St Kilda on ancestry, genealogy, family history visit to the North Atlantic. Isolated St Kilda, Scottish Gaelic: Hiort, is situated 40 miles West northwest of North Uist in the North Atlantic Ocean. It contains the westernmost islands of the Outer Hebrides. The largest island is Hirta, whose sea cliffs are the highest in the United Kingdom; three other islands Dùn, Soay and Boreray were also used for grazing and seabird hunting. Permanent habitation on the islands possibly extends back two millennia, the population probably never exceeding 180; its peak was in the late 17th century. The population was 112 in 1851. According to the 1861 census, there were 71 inhabitants at that time; over subsequent years, the population ebbed and waned, eventually dropping to 36 as of May 1930. Virtually all of the population lived on Hirta. The entire remaining population was evacuated from Hirta, the only inhabited island, in 1930. The islands were historically part of the domain of the Clan MacLeod of Harris, whose steward was responsible for the collection of rents in kind and other duties. Coll of Clan MacDonald of Colonsay raided Hirta in 1615, removing 30 sheep and a quantity of barley. Visiting ships in the 18th century brought cholera and smallpox. In 1727, the loss of life was so high that too few residents remained to man the boats, and new families were brought in from Isle of Harris to replace them. By 1758 the population had risen to 88 and reached just under 100 by the end of the century. This figure remained fairly constant from the 18th century until 1851, when 36 islanders emigrated to Australia on board the Priscilla, a loss from which the island never fully recovered. The emigration was in part a response to the laird's closure of the church and manse for several years during the Disruption that created the Free Church of Scotland. The last of the native St Kildans, Rachel Johnson, died in April 2016 at the age of 93, having been evacuated at the age of 8. Of interest to folks with ancestry, genealogy or Scottish Family Roots in Scotland who may wish to visit one day. Find things to see and do in Scotland where you are always welcome. All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.

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