Work has began to repair and protect St Kilda Kirk from the elements it faces on the remote island as its 200th anniversary approaches. Staff and contractors for the National Trust for Scotland have started work on a major project to conserve the kirk but face battles with gales, rough seas, nesting birds and the risk of non-native species arriving. Extensive repairs to the roof as well as the replacement of gutters and rhones are required as a first urgent phase of conservation to make the kirk and adjacent school watertight and windtight, in a location where peak winds can reach up to 144 miles per hour.
Due to St Kilda’s archipelago location in the North Atlantic, the islands faces gale force winds approximately 75 days a year, with the recent Climate Vulnerability Index assessment for St Kilda showing that storms are likely to become more frequent and more severe as a result of climate change . Read More: New photo trail and orienteering courses launched at iconic Scottish castle Grave threat of climate change to St Kilda's seabirds revealed in new study Cruise ship firm responds to outrage over unscheduled St Kilda visit The project, supported by the Historic Environment Scotland grant fund, is to make the Kirk weatherproof and is being managed by the National Trust for Scotland, which cares for St Kilda. The island is the UK’s only dual UNESCO World Heritage Site and specialist contractors – Laing’s Traditional Masonry – have been working on Hirta over the sum.