Hirta

Hirta ( Scottish Gaelic: Hiort ) is the main island of the Scottish St. Kilda islands.

Geography

The island is about 6.7 square kilometers in size. It rises up to 430 meters high Conachair. The coastline is 15 kilometers long. The coastline is mostly very steep. But there near the barrier island Hirta Dùn a natural anchorage that Village Bay.

History

The people on Hirta developed a unique way of life in Europe, which was based on the catch of seabirds in the cliffs of St. Kilda islands and collecting eggs. In return, the men abseiled down to the cliffs. Seafaring and fishing, however, they hardly operated. Due to the remoteness and the life in a small community under inhospitable conditions, a life form that has parallels to that of jägerischen primitive peoples originated.

A special type are the so-called cleits or cleitean dar. There are dry stone more or less oval shaped buildings with covers of heath sods who served for the dry storage of food, clothing and equipment.

The population Hirtas was to the 20th century around 100 by emigration and death then the number dropped so much that the British authorities decided to evacuate the island. On August 29, 1930, the population of the island has been associated with their belongings to the Scottish mainland.

After 1930, few people were allowed to return. On Hirta is a radar station of the British armed forces.

Hirta belongs to the St. Kilda archipelago, both UNESCO World Heritage Site and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The existing houses of the former island population and the paths are obtained if possible.