St Kilda, the” Island on the Edge” was the subject of an illustrated talk by Maureen Kerr to the May meeting of the Stewartry U3A.
Maureen studied graphics at Glasgow School of Art and recently spent ten years working on the remote island of St Kilda. The opportunity to work there was provided by employment as a chef at the MOD base on the island and in her off duty time she was able to absorb the atmosphere of the island which she then translated into her paintings and writings.
The first signs of human habitation on the island dates back 4,000 years and would always have been a remote and isolated existence. The cleits are evidence of earlier habitation and the most recently inhabited dwellings are in “the Street”. The traditional way of life and the rich oral traditions declined as a result of the strict religious discipline imposed by the church and discontent with the way of life developed. People became more aware of the way of life on the mainland. Finally, on 29 August 1930 the island was evacuated.
Maureen described how the year was marked by the arrival and departure of different species of birds, the Soay sheep which roam over the island and the St Kilda Wrens and St Kilda mice which are both larger than on the mainland. Sha had amusing stories of how the mice could find their way into the accommodation on the MOD base, despite the efforts of the people there.
Her normal means of transport to the island was by helicopter but this was frequently affected by extreme weather conditions so she had some exciting trips. On one occasion landing on the helipad was delayed as seals were lying on it and reluctant to move!
Maureen described her research into the life of George Murray who was school teacher on St Kilda in 1886 -1887 and missionary and school teacher in North Uist in the Outer Hebrides. From access to his diaries she was able to write one of her recent books.