ST KILDA World Heritage Site Management Plan 2012–17 TITLE Sub-title FOREWORD We are delighted to be able to present the revised continuing programme of research and conservation. Management Plan for the St Kilda World Heritage Site The management of the World Heritage Site is, for the years 2012-2017. however, a collaborative approach also involving partners from Historic Scotland, Scottish Natural St Kilda is a truly unique place. The spectacular Heritage, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and the Ministry of scenery and wildlife, both on land and in the seas Defence. As custodians of St Kilda, all of the partners surrounding the islands, the archipelago’s isolation and should be thanked for their excellent work over recent inaccessibility, and the evidence, abundant for all to years, and the new Management Plan will continue to see, of the people that made these islands their home, build on these efforts. make St Kilda truly exceptional. The very nature of St Kilda means that the challenges In this respect, St Kilda showcases Scotland to the are different to those of other World Heritage Sites. world by displaying the most important features of our By identifying and addressing key short and medium heritage, our rich natural and cultural traditions, and our term issues around protection, conservation and awe inspiring landscapes and scenery. management, the Management Plan aims to embrace these challenges, and sets out a thirty year vision for the It is therefore of no surprise that St Kilda has been property, ensuring that the longer-term future of St Kilda designated as a World Heritage Site for both its cultural is properly considered. and natural attributes. The accolade of dual designation is a rarity, with St Kilda being one of only 29 mixed We are extremely grateful to all who have contributed World Heritage Sites in the world, and one of only two to the development of this Plan, from the main in Northern Europe. Scotland is proud to be home to management partners to those who engaged with such a special and unique environment and one that the consultation process. It is essential that this epitomises the UNESCO World Heritage designation. collaboration is continued to ensure the integrated management of the various interests on St Kilda. The importance of the archipelago and the fragility of the eco-system make it imperative that a mechanism World Heritage Site status is, as we are all aware, a is in place that ensures the continued effective great responsibility and one which Scotland takes very management of this cultural and natural treasure. The seriously. We are confident that the implementation of National Trust for Scotland has owned St Kilda since this Management Plan will help guarantee that current 1957 and should be commended for the excellent and future generations will continue to enjoy, learn from work it has undertaken in this time, particularly their and be inspired by this magnificent World Heritage Site. Fiona Hyslop Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs Stewart Stevenson Minister for Environment and Climate Change 02 I ST KILDA WORLD HERITAGE SITE MANAGEMent Plan 2012–17 The islands of St Kilda are owned by the National Trust for Scotland, which has overall responsibility for management of the archipelago. This Management Plan for the St Kilda World Heritage Site has been agreed by the National Trust for Scotland and Key Stakeholders (see below), who are committed to working together to implement the Plan. Kate Mavor Chief Executive / Àrd-oifigear The National Trust for Scotland / Urras Nàiseanta na h-Alba Barbara Cummins Ian Jardine Director of Heritage Management / Chief Executive / Àrd-oifigear Stiùiriche Rianachd Dhualchais Scottish Natural Heritage / Dualchas Nàdair na h-Alba Historic Scotland / Alba Aosmhor Malcolm Burr Air Commodore Michael Quigley Àrd-oifigear / Chief Executive Director Weapons, Head of Engineering / Stiùiriche Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Armachd, Ceannard Innleadaireachd Ministry of Defence, Defence Equipment & Support / Ministrealachd an Dìon, Uidheam Dìon & Taic 29th August 2012 Sgoil Lionacleit, Benbecula, HS7 5PJ Ministry of Defence Comhairle nan Eilean Siar II III CONTENTS F OREWORD I COMMITMENT OF KEY STAKEHOLDERS III CONTENTS V SUMMARY VIII PART ONE 1.1 Introduction to the St Kilda WHS Management Plan 1 1.1.1 Purpose and contents of the Management Plan 2 1.1.2 Parts to the Management Plan 3 1.1.3 Implementation of the Management Plan 3 1.1.4 What is a World Heritage Site 4 1.1.5 World Heritage Sites in the UK 5 1.2 St Kilda World Heritage Site 5 1.2.1 Inscription on the World Heritage List 6 1.2.2 Criteria for inscription 6 1.2.3 Description 7 1.2.4 Designations 8 1.3 Statement of Outstanding Universal Value and Statement of Significance 9 1.3.1 Introduction 9 1.3.2 Brief synthesis 10 1.3.3 Additional values 11 1.3.4 Integrity 13 1.3.5 Authenticity 14 1.4 Management framework 15 1.4.1 Ownership 16 1.4.2 Management 16 1.4.3 Role of the National Trust for Scotland and key stakeholders 17 1.4.4 The future of the base 18 1.4.5 Legislation 18 1.4.6 Planning framework 19 PART TWO 2.1 Achievements during the course of the 2003–08 Management Plan 21 2.1.1 Introduction 22 2.1.2 Summary 22 2.1.3 Outcomes 2003–08 23 PART THREE 3.1 St Kilda Vision Statement 33 3.1.1 Introduction 34 3.1.2 Vision 34 3.1.3 Guiding Principles 35 3.1.4 Threats and issues 38 3.2 Statement of Intent 2012–17 39 3.2.1 Introduction 40 3.2.2 Outcomes 2012–17 40 3.3 Objectives and Prescriptions 41 3.3.1 Introduction 41 3.3.2 Outcome 1 42 3.3.3 Outcome 2 55 3.3.4 Outcome 3 61 IV V 3.3.5 Outcome 4 63 3.3.6 Outcome 5 65 3.3.7 Outcome 6 67 3.3.8 Outcome 7 69 3.3.9 Outcome 8 71 3.3.10 Outcome 9 72 3.3.11 Outcome 10 73 3.3.12 Outcome 11 75 3.3.13 Outcome 12 80 PART FOUR 4.1 Historical background 81 4.1.1 Introduction 82 4.1.2 History of St Kilda prior to acquisition by the National Trust for Scotland 82 4.1.3 Acquisition by the National Trust for Scotland 85 4.1.4 Management of St Kilda since acquisition 86 4.2 Description of key features 89 4.2.1 Physical features 90 4.3 Flora and fauna 97 4.3.1 Flora 98 4.3.2 Fauna 100 4.3.3 Marine life 105 4.3.4 Research and studies 107 4.4 Cultural heritage 109 4.4.1 Introduction 110 4.4.2 Documentary evidence 110 4.4.3 Collections 110 4.4.4 Archives 111 4.4.5 Music and language 113 4.4.6 Cultural landscape 113 4.4.7 Archaeological remains 114 4.4.8 Scheduled Monuments 122 4.4.9 Archaeological importance 122 4.4.10 Archaeological research 123 4.4.11 Archaeological monitoring and management 125 4.4.12 Conservation of structures 125 4.4.13 Future research framework 126 4.4.14 St Kilda Research Committee 126 4.5 Access 127 4.5.1 Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 128 4.5.2 Trust mandate 128 4.5.3 Work Parties 129 4.5.4 Intellectual access 130 4.5.5 Visitors 131 4.5.6 Visitor pressure 133 4.5.7 Visitor management 134 4.6 Land Use 137 4.6.1 National Nature Reserve (NNR) and Scheduled Monuments (SM) 138 4.6.2 MOD Hebrides Range 138 4.7 Designations 139 4.7.1 World Heritage Site 140 4.7.2 Natural heritage designations 143 4.7.3 Cultural heritage designations 145 4.8 Abbreviations 147 4.8.1 Stakeholders 148 4.8.2 Designations 149 4.8.3 Other 150 APPENDICES 151 VI VII Stac an Armin SUMMARY Sub-title TITLE Sub-title BORERAY Stac Lee N SOAY Soay Stac The Tunnel Glen Bay Caves Amazon’s Caves NTS GROUP TOTAL AREA (HA) House Countryside & Islands North 854 ha (owned by NTS) The Gap 24,201.4 ha ( area of World Heritage Site HIRTA including marine environment) Lover’s St Columba’s Stone Chapel GRID REFERENCE DATE(S) ACQUIRED Village Bay 57° 50 N, 08° 34 W (NGR – NA095995) (central point) 1957 St Brianan’s Chapel LOCAL AUTHORITY INALIENABLE? Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Yes Mistress Stone PROPERTY MANAGER DESIGNATIONS Susan Bain World Heritage Site Natural Arches ADDRESS Special Area of Conservation DUN Special Protection Area The National Trust for Scotland Levenish Balnain House National Nature Reserve 40 Huntly Street Site of Special Scientific Interest Inverness Geological Conservation Review Site IV3 5HR Marine Consultation Area Tel: 01463 732 645 National Scenic Area Scheduled Monument PLAN PREPARED BY Victoria Cairns VIII IX X XI PTAR ONE 1.1 Introduction to 1.1.1 Purpose and contents the St Kilda WHS of the Management Plan Management Plan The St Kilda World Heritage Site (WHS) Management Plan 2012–17 articulates the significance of St Kilda, first and foremost in terms of its heritage, but also the opportunities it provides for access and education along with its social and economic importance to local communities and wider communities of interest. It sets out a framework for the long-term conservation and management of the archipelago and its key attributes, and provides a mechanism for bringing together all communities of interest, balancing and integrating differing views.