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St Kilda stone marks World Heritage status
29/08/2005
A special marker stone was unveiled today on the the remote islands of St Kilda in recognition of their dual World Heritage status as internationally important natural and cultural landscapes.
St Kilda is one of only 24 sites in the world to hold this dual status.
Today's unveiling ceremony, by Culture Minister Patricia Ferguson, was timed to coincide with the 75th anniversary of the voluntary evacuation of the islands on August 29, 1930.
Ms Ferguson said:
"It is a great accolade for Scotland that we have four such diverse but important World Heritage sites.
"As the World Heritage Convention says 'the cultural and natural heritage is among the priceless and irreplaceable assets, not only of each nation, but of humanity as a whole'.
"Preserving this heritage and understanding it is vitally important for current and future generations. It is our duty to ensure that all World Heritage sites are looked after so that their special character is preserved for everyone.
"To be standing on one of the most important natural and cultural sites in the world is a great privilege. Access must be managed in a sensitive way so that a balance is reached between enabling people to visit this special place and ensuring it is not damaged by that activity.
"With partnership working St Kilda will continue to make a positive contribution to the cultural life of Scotland."
Robin Pellew, chief executive of the National Trust for Scotland, who own St Kilda, said:
"Everyone at the Trust is extremely proud to be responsible for the care of the only dual world heritage site in the UK. St Kilda was first nominated for its natural significance in 1986, and it was extended to include the marine environment in 2004. This accolade recognised St Kilda's superlative natural features, its habitats for rare and endangered species, and its internationally important population of seabirds."
The St Kilda archipeligo lies 64 kilometres west of the Outer Hebrides. Part of the parish of Harris in the Western Isles, in comprises four main islands - Hirta, Soay, Boreray, and Dun - and three main sea stacs - Stac an Armin, Stac Lee, and Levenish.