A deserted Scottish island situated 100 miles from the mainland boasts breathtaking panoramas from Britain’s loftiest cliffs – and visitors can even spend the night camping there.

The St Kilda archipelago was inhabited for 2,000 years before 1930, when its final 36 inhabitants were evacuated and relocated to Scotland. Whilst a distinctive way of life vanished forever, remnants of history remain scattered across the four islands, especially on Hirta, the largest.

St Kilda, recently listed amongst Britain’s most haunted coastlines, earned UNESCO World Heritage status for its exceptional wildlife, dramatic sea cliffs and remote ecosystem, which supports approximately one million seabirds.

The National Trust of Scotland currently oversees these Atlantic islands, with visitor trips available in April and September – though adverse weather frequently results in cancellations.

Ruth Aisling, who operates a YouTube channel documenting her rediscovery of Scotland following 12 years overseas, previously journeyed to St Kilda, positioned 40 miles west of the Outer Hebrides.

Her expedition required a three-hour boat crossing from the Isle of Skye, with day trips priced at £280 per person.

Yet to camp overnight in this most isolated corner of the British Isles, travellers must cover the return voyage, bringing her total expenditure to £500.

She remarked: “Although this is quite pricey, St Kilda is a place I have always wanted to see and this will probably be the only time I will ever visit.”

Upon arrival, a National Trust representative briefed her on the permitted areas before she set off on her hike.

What immediately caught her attention was the deserted village in the distance and how the vistas of the stone structures alongside the encircling bay were “very beautiful”.

Sharing her early thoughts, she remarked: “I have been on the island for an hour, hour and a half already, and my first impression is that the island definitely feels lived on.

“I had an image before coming here that this was an abandoned island, there really wasn’t going to be much here, however, there’s quite a lot of activity.

“I think there’s around 30 or 40 people on the island tonight. They might not live here year-round but they do live here temporarily so it is a little bit different to what I expected based on my first impressions so far.”

Throughout her unforgettable treks, she was captivated by the “unbelievable” landscape, though she did issue a warning.

She explained: “If you’re someone who is afraid of heights I don’t recommend hiking up here. Even me who is not really scared of heights my legs are wobbling a little bit. I’m staying quite far back from the edge. It probably looks like I am quite close but I am probably about seven eight metres from the edge.”

St Kilda is home to some of Britain’s most dramatic cliff faces, including Conachair, which towers at 427 metres. Regrettably, upon reaching the summit, cloud cover had descended, and despite lingering for half an hour, Aisling was unable to witness what would have been an extraordinary panorama.

Her overnight stay in the tent proved somewhat disconcerting, having been disturbed by a large mouse attempting to infiltrate her shelter. She also noted the sheep were particularly vocal throughout the night.

The following day, she explored the opposite side of the island, and was utterly captivated by the spectacle before her.

She said: “This place is incredible. It looks like a picture frame of stones, and then the view out! This is 100% the best view of St Kilda in my opinion.”

Hirta island comprises a church, abandoned stone dwellings, warehouses and natural freshwater sources, alongside a contemporary museum. Toilet and shower amenities are available, though no commercial establishments or dining venues exist.

While previous inhabitants depended upon fishing, seabird meat and eggs formed a fundamental component of their sustenance, representing one of their primary food sources. The location continues to host the UK’s most substantial puffin colony, accommodating half of the nation’s puffin population.

Offering a glimpse into their existence, Martin Martin documented in 1697: “The inhabitants of St Kilda, are much happier than the generality of mankind, as being almost the only people in the world who feel the sweetness of true liberty, simplicity, mutual love and cordial friendship, free from solicitous cares, and anxious covetousness; and the consequences that attend them.”

Nevertheless, numerous factors contributed to its eventual desertion, including growing connections with the mainland during the 19th century which brought deadly illnesses to the island.

During its heyday, approximately 200 residents called it home, but gradually individuals began seeking better opportunities on the mainland, which resulted in insufficient workers to sustain the community, and during the 1920s, just prior to the final evacuation, agricultural failures resulted in fatalities from hunger.

Despite this tragic history, it continues to draw visitors from across the globe, with the Telegraph’s Robin McKelvie dubbing the archipelago the “real-life Jurassic Park” whilst also characterising the cliffs as “Tolkien-eque”.

One traveller shared their impressions on TripAdvisor last year, describing it as a “breathtakingly beautiful place”.

A fellow visitor penned: “Felt very privileged to visit this amazing place. It is beautiful in terms of scenery and wildlife and very poignant to see the places where people eked out a living for so long but who eventually had to ask for evacuation. Warm and informative welcome from the island’s warden.”

Someone else enthused: “Landing by RIB on St Kilda on a gloriously sunny day is a once in a lifetime experience. The history is fascinating, the scenery stunning and the wildlife, especially puffins abundant.”