216 Mr. Atkinson's Notice of St. Kilda. 



opposite. Thus the Pabbah men, who probably have not much inter- 

 course with the larger islands, form a kind of exclusive channel of com, 

 munication with St. Kilda, which accounts in some measure for its being 

 comparatively unknown to the other islanders. Considering, therefore, 

 its remote situation, and the difficulties, real and imaginary, with which 

 its attainment is regarded, it is scarcely to be wondered that this inte- 

 resting island is so little known. 



I will not say that the voyage is entirely without danger, for St. Kilda is 

 so exposed to the Atlantic, that only vessels capable of riding at anchor 

 in safety on its heavy swell, or small enough to be hauled up on the beach 

 on arrival, are safe to go in. Of course the latter, to general tourists, 

 will be the most convenient mode, and was the one adopted by my 

 brother and me last summer ; hiring a boat for £5. at a small village 

 called Coshlatter, on Harris, with three men as its crew. It was 18 

 feet in the keel, yaul built, and contained several wisps of straw for us 

 to sleep on, a sack of oatmeal, a peat fire in an iron pot, and five or six 

 bottles of whiskey. We sailed from Rowdil at 10 o'clock f. m., on the 

 30th of May, and entered the small bay on the south-east of St. Kilda, 

 at 11 next morning, after a pleasant 13 hours' trip in a beautiful night, 

 so light throughout, though there was no moon, that I could easily 

 consult my watch at midnight. 



As it was about the time of the tacksman's visit, the natives thought 

 it was his boat, and were anxiously waiting to receive us, and although 

 our nearer approach undeceived them, bestowed on us and our crew 

 every care and attention. Mr. McKenzie, the minister, met us on the 

 rocks, at the landing, which is close to the village, and took us home to a 

 most acceptable cup of tea : and to his kindness we were indebted for 

 hospitable entertainment during our stay, as well as for much of the in- 

 formation concerning the islands, that I now relate. 



The group called St. Kilda* situated about 60 miles west from the Sound 

 of Harris, consists of three islands, and their adjacent rocks. Of these, St. 

 Kilda, properly so called, is alone inhabited ; it is about four and a half 



* See Map, Plate 3*. 



