St Kilda

St Kilda is a small archipelago of Hebridean islands. It is northwest of the coast of Scotland. The islands are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.UNESCO, "St Kilda"; retrieved 2012-4-20.

St Kilda has large seabird colonies.  The island has the largest colony of North Atlantic gannets in the world.National Trust for Scotland (National Trust), "Marine Environment gains World Heritage Protection,"  2 July 2004; retrieved 2012-4-20.

History
It is known that people have lived on St Kilda for over 2000 years.  The entire population was evacuated from the island in 1930. St Kilda was given to the National Trust for Scotland in 1957.

In the 21st century, the only year-round residents are defence personnel. Many conservation workers, volunteers and scientists spend time on the islands in the summer months."The new residents of St Kilda archipelago". (29 August 2010). BBC News. Retrieved 29 August 2010.

National Nature Reserve
St Kilda became a National Nature Reserves (NNR) in 1957. It is one of 71 NNRs in Scotland. In 2004, the NNR was expanded.  The nearby marine features were added. The islands were also added.

In July 2005, it became one of the few World Heritage Sites to have a "mixed" status for its natural and cultural qualities.National Trust, "Dual World Heritage Status For Unique Scottish Islands,"  14 July 2005; retrieved 2012-4-20.  They are also a National Scenic Area.

Gallery

 Related pages 
List of World Heritage Sites of the United Kingdom

 References 

Other websites

 St Kilda website 

Category:Inner and Outer Hebrides
Category:World Heritage Sites in the United Kingdom
Category:Biosphere reserves
Category:Uninhabited regions