Quần đảo đáng sống nhất SCOTLAND

The remote islands of St Kilda, off the west coast of Scotland, are actually the most isolated place on earth. Located 64 km west of the Outer Hebrides, it is the farthest part of the British Isles. The island has many granite boulders and towering cliffs, strongly influenced by the North Atlantic weather. There is wind so strong that the trees cannot grow.

Despite the harsh climate, there is a small community that still tries to survive on the island by eating seabirds and its eggs. These brave inhabitants live a hunter-like lifestyle, along the beautiful cliffs to catch bears, fulmars (a seabird) and puffins (a red-mouthed seabird). After thousands of years of isolation, the entire population of the island evacuated to the mainland to escape failed crops, a lack of communication and lack of medical care.

St Kilda Island has been inhabited continuously for about 4,000 years. The island's only settlement, the Bay Village, is located on a lowland located on the archipelago's largest island.

Islands with strong winds make raising cattle impossible. The islanders planted small amounts of barley, oats and potatoes, but high winds and saltwater often damaged crops. The sea is too rough to catch, so islanders don't eat fish. Their favorite food is birds, and they are abundant on the island.

St Kilda is home to many important seabirds such as ganhets, petrels, puffins and fulmars. The number of seabirds makes up 24% of the world's seabirds, and nearly 90% of the European seabirds were born on this island. It is said that people on St Kildans Island often "eat puffins for a snack, like a pack of sausages." According to one report, each person on St Kilda Island eats 115 bird fulmars every year. In 1876 it was said that the islanders consumed more than 89,600 puffin bird eggs.

Hirta, St Kilda

Catching birds is not easy, but the islanders have made this job simple and artistic. During the spring and summer months, men walk on steep cliffs, and collect young birds and eggs from their nests. They don't waste anything from sea birds. Birds' feathers are used for pillows and beds, skin of gannets is used to make shoes, and oil in the stomach of fulmars is used as fuel. The birds only live on the island for about half a year. In the fall and winter, they fly to the Atlantic to avoid the island's chill. In search of food, the islanders built stone caves to store the bodies of birds.

Since the middle of the 19th century, islanders have begun to welcome foreign tourists. Increasing contact with the outside world has made them aware of another way of life, as well as their inadequacies on the island. Residents began importing food, fuel and construction materials to improve the island's life, and gradually they became dependent on this source of supply. During World War I, the presence of the Royal Navy on the island improved communication with the mainland. For the first time in history, there were regular mailings and food. When these services were withdrawn at the end of the war, the feeling of isolation increased. Food shortages become acute and more frequent, especially with medical care.

After the death of a young woman with appendicitis in January 1930, she was taken to the mainland for treatment. The last residents on the island were more aware of the evacuation of the island, and together they wrote a letter to the government asking for help with moving the island.

The content of the application stated: “We do not ask to resolve it as a separate community, but we are grateful for the support and transition to another place where there is a better opportunity to ensure preserve our livelihoods ”.

On August 29, 1930, the last 36 inhabitants of St Kilda Island were evacuated and resettled on land. In 1986, the island became the first place in Scotland to be listed on UNESCO's World Heritage list. It is one of only 24 locations on the planet to be given this position for both its natural and cultural significance. Thousands of tourists visit Hirta Island today to explore the abandoned town.

• Share
• Share
• Tweet
• Pin It