Dear Dennis Allen, what a huge treasure - for me one of the most impressive audio visions of my longed-for place, St Kilda. I am a great admirer of Scotland, Alba, Caledonia with Lowlands, Highlands, Northern and Western Iles. Before I die in antiquity I would like to visit the St Kilda archipelago spied from Ceapabhal. Your audio vision is a huge motivation to follow you in your footsteps. Thank you very much. Meinhard Roggisch
Not many people are aware of the fact that during the summers of 1957 and 1958 a detachment of approx 300 RAF personnel from the Airfield Construction Branch 5004 Squadron (mostly RAF National Servicemen) worked from April to September each year building the road to the top of the mountain and all the Military buildings and infrastructure. They lived in tents under arduous conditions (at times most of the tents and their contents were completely blown away) and in serious inclement weather the Servicemen took shelter in solme of the old stone cleats). They worked for 6 days each week and It is recorded that these conditions led to 2 mutinies taking place. A quarry was opened and material for the roads and other buildings blasted. When the quarry blasting took place up to a million birds took to the air ! Their link to the mainland was by 2 x 800 ton flat bottomed front opening Royal Navy tank landing craft vessels, manned by ROAC Army crews, who made the hazardous trips from the military port at Cairnryian as and when weather permitted. For any further info and photographs feel free to contact Mr Honey. pgh122@hotmail.com.
In your photo 214 I could clearly recognize the Caipabhal as you drove past - I recommend the climb with the wonderful view of the Sgarasta beaches and perhaps, like me, you will be lucky enough to spot St Kilda from there.
Brilliant travel log Dennis. I made 1 trip to St Kilda for the day courtesy of MOD.Your travel log feels in a lot of info and sites I didn't get to see. Like your visit the weather was kind and the heli pilot was kind and flew us around the near islands. You showed the Watchman radar but not the equipment right on the highest point. Quite a steep climb so I guess you didn't have time. It looks as though the site was hidden in cloud. Thanks again for bringing back special memories.
Enjoyed much. Great photos as well as interesting. Nice atmospheric music too, especially the older traditional songs, great vibe. Could you tell me the singer and or the name of the very first song on the video? Best wishes and thank you for sharing.
Yes, we made it this time on the last day of the season. Were not disappointed. Had a lovey day, weather forecast was for heavy showers but apart from a little shower twice the weather was good. Derek and Nicola were very knowledgeable and helpful. Tripround the sea stacs was fantastic.Hazel.
Fortunately, as part of National Trust for Scotland's 24/7 estate, you aren't necessarily tied to organised (and no doubt hideously expensive) trip schedules and can do it all yourself if you want. NTS runs a small campsite open April-Sept (£20 per night, must book in advance, max stay five nights) but it doesn't say you can't camp elsewhere. In fact I don't think they can stop you as there is a general 'right to roam' in Scotland. Of course if you've got there in your own boat you can sleep there. No mobile phone signal. No internet. No WiFi. Bliss. Sadly though, no dogs either.
Pulling on my heart strings......a sweet tender pain. Thank you!
Dear Dennis Allen, what a huge treasure - for me one of the most impressive audio visions of my longed-for place, St Kilda. I am a great admirer of Scotland, Alba, Caledonia with Lowlands, Highlands, Northern and Western Iles. Before I die in antiquity I would like to visit the St Kilda archipelago spied from Ceapabhal. Your audio vision is a huge motivation to follow you in your footsteps. Thank you very much. Meinhard Roggisch
Thanks for the video and the accompnying music some of which was very evocative.
Not many people are aware of the fact that during the summers of 1957 and 1958 a detachment of approx 300 RAF personnel from the Airfield Construction Branch 5004 Squadron (mostly RAF National Servicemen) worked from April to September each year building the road to the top of the mountain and all the Military buildings and infrastructure.
They lived in tents under arduous conditions (at times most of the tents and their contents were completely blown away) and in serious inclement weather the Servicemen took shelter in solme of the old stone cleats).
They worked for 6 days each week and It is recorded that these conditions led to 2 mutinies taking place.
A quarry was opened and material for the roads and other buildings blasted.
When the quarry blasting took place up to a million birds took to the air !
Their link to the mainland was by 2 x 800 ton flat bottomed front opening Royal Navy tank landing craft vessels, manned by ROAC Army crews, who made the hazardous trips from the military port at Cairnryian as and when weather permitted.
For any further info and photographs feel free to contact Mr Honey.
pgh122@hotmail.com.
In your photo 214 I could clearly recognize the Caipabhal as you drove past - I recommend the climb with the wonderful view of the Sgarasta beaches and perhaps, like me, you will be lucky enough to spot St Kilda from there.
Excellent. Well done.
Brilliant travel log Dennis. I made 1 trip to St Kilda for the day courtesy of MOD.Your travel log feels in a lot of info and sites I didn't get to see. Like your visit the weather was kind and the heli pilot was kind and flew us around the near islands. You showed the Watchman radar but not the equipment right on the highest point. Quite a steep climb so I guess you didn't have time. It looks as though the site was hidden in cloud. Thanks again for bringing back special memories.
Do you know what brought the original settlers to St. Kilda when it was such a harsh place to thrive in?
Very interesting video. Thank you.
Most moving documentary. It reached inside me.
Wreck is former Aberdeen trawler "Spinningdale" registered at Fleetwood for Spanish owners at time of grounding.
and was removed in July 2009
Beautiful presentation! Comparing photos of present to past, music and I assume the vocals were in Scots Gaelic?
W0W! Thank you for sharing. Some day I'll go. I just hope I'm not so old that I can't hike around a bit.
Did you go ?
Enjoyed much. Great photos as well as interesting. Nice atmospheric music too, especially the older traditional songs, great vibe. Could you tell me the singer and or the name of the very first song on the video? Best wishes and thank you for sharing.
St kilda is like a cross between the skelligs and blaskets in ireland
Yes, we made it this time on the last day of the season. Were not disappointed. Had a lovey day, weather forecast was for heavy showers but apart from a little shower twice the weather was good. Derek and Nicola were very knowledgeable and helpful. Tripround the sea stacs was fantastic.Hazel.
Thanks!
Was booked to go to St. Kilda recently from Uig but sailing conditions were unsuitable so booked to go back in Sept., hope we make it this time.Hazel.
Did you go?
@@alanroberts4060 Yes, the above video show's that I was there. It was excellent. Great experience.
Hi woukd u mind telling me what the first two pieces of music in your video were, they remind me of my gaelic astranged mother, thank you x
i believe the music recorded by capercaillie folk group
Is it only possible to visit St.Kilda via an organized trip; or is it possible to go there yourself, that is, with your own boat, tent and schedule?
It said somewhere on another video it has to be organised through the boat company.
Fortunately, as part of National Trust for Scotland's 24/7 estate, you aren't necessarily tied to organised (and no doubt hideously expensive) trip schedules and can do it all yourself if you want. NTS runs a small campsite open April-Sept (£20 per night, must book in advance, max stay five nights) but it doesn't say you can't camp elsewhere. In fact I don't think they can stop you as there is a general 'right to roam' in Scotland. Of course if you've got there in your own boat you can sleep there.
No mobile phone signal. No internet. No WiFi. Bliss. Sadly though, no dogs either.
76*i