St Kilda visitor centre

Plans to build a world class visitors centre telling the story of St Kilda has taken a step forward.

A report researched by renowned heritage tourism consultant, James Rebanks, shows there is global potential for the St Kilda tourist centre.

A clifftop site at Mangersta was previously unanimously selected for the facility though other communities in the Western Isles will be involved.

An enormous amount of work has been undertaken by the local community company established to define and advance the project.

The project is being led by the community group and it has already explored potential markets as well as content and interpretation with a team from the Glasgow School of Art.

HIE has provided support for the transfer of the land and for previous consultancy work to help progress the project.

Iain Begg, senior development manager at HIE - which has provided support to the plans - said: “This is a great example of a community taking the initiative to maximise benefits from local assets to boost the local economy. Clearly it is still early days and a lot of work still to do, but there is potential here to attract more visitors to the area and enhance their experience, as well as create local employment. I am very pleased we are able to provide further support for the project. This will help Ionad Hiort produce a sound business case that will attract investment and make the most of their distinctive regional opportunity.”

Iain Buchanan, chairman of Ionad Hiort steering group, said: “The response to this event has been excellent. It confirms how much interest there is, at national and international levels as well as locally, in St Kilda, its unique history and heritage.

“This is an opportunity for our various partners to discuss this important study before it is concluded in March and will be a key milestone in the development of Ionad Hiort.”

Alasdair Macleod, Chair of Sustainable Development Committee at Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, said: "Ionad Hiort is an exciting and innovative project and although there are many challenges ahead, with the support of the stakeholders and the professional and focussed input of the Project Team, the St Kilda centre could become an iconic, international tourism attraction in the not too distant future."

Owned by the National Trust for Scotland, St Kilda is the UK’s only UNESCO dual world heritage site renowned for its natural and cultural significance.

The evacuation of its native population in 1930 brought to a close an extraordinary story of survival. Now, with around a million birds at the height of the season it is Europe's most important seabird breeding area and is a national nature reserve.

St Kilda visitor centre plans move forward

2 March 2015