Thursday 19 – Sunday 22 August 2021

I’d like to start by thanking Niall for organising yet another successful island meet and for ensuring that any St Kilda ‘virgins’ didn’t remain so.

With Covid at a lowish ebb, a party of 14 headed for Harris mainly via Uig on Skye. Separate accommodation had been booked by all though the majority saw themselves based at Lickisto camping where the Blackhouse became the social focus for the first 3 evenings.

Activity-wise, Iain got a good day’s Graham bagging on Thursday and two parties took in Clisham on the Friday via the scrambling route in Coire Dubh. Niall fulfilled his cycling ambitions with trips out to Scalpay and the Huisinish road-end.

The Saturday turned out to be our sailing day to St Kilda with calm seas and many sightings of marine and bird life. The island was sadly clouded over for most of the 5 hours we had there but several of us took in the highest point of Conachair. The museum and story of life here until the 1930’s was fascinating and a preservation team of volunteers continues. The return to Leverburgh took in a close up viewing of the very dramatic Boreray and its associated sea stacks.

The Sunday was the best day weather-wise with many of us taking to the beach. Allan and Tim learnt is that it is actually hard to get a meal out on Harris on a Sunday during our afternoon trip to bag Ceapabhal with Niall and I was pleased to ensure they had a decent munch before the team ‘last hoorah’ meet up at Traigh Rosamol via Losgaintir. We managed to keep a small beach fire blazing until the stars came out with Jupiter, Venus and a rising of the Moon.

Certainly a meet to remember with Alex and I going on to enjoy a few more days of incredible weather in the Uists and Barra.

• Report by Greg
• See more photos on Yogile