Step forward for new St Kilda centre in Uig

This applies to the first phase of the project - ‘A Chiad Cheum’ - which includes a flexible new-build visitor and research centre, office space and toilets with car parking and road access.

Iain Buchanan, chairman of Ionad Hiort, said: “This is an important milestone which has involved a great deal of preparatory work. It will give confidence to potential funders with whom discussions are continuing”.

The first phase of the centre will offers a ‘remote access’ visitor experience to elements of the St Kildan cultural tradition and environment. It will also act as a research and curatorial base for year round activity.

A Chiad Cheum will reflect a central tenet of the Ionad Hiort project - the Gaelic heritage of St Kilda. It is anticipated that the next stage will include walkways, trails and viewpoints to explore the external environment.

Iain Buchanan thanked Skye - based Dualchas architects and Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter of Oslo for their continuing commitment to the project and their contribution to meeting the challenges of this application.

There are a number of standard conditions applied to the consent in principle including detailed plans for the road lay-out and an “archaeological desk-based assessment”.