Stuck On The UK's Most Remote Island

I am stuck on St. Kilda, the UK's most remote island. The St. Kilda archipelago sits in the Atlantic, about 110 miles from mainland Scotland, making it the most remote part of the British Isles.

I had planned to stay for two days and one night on this remote Scottish island, but as I prepared to leave, I discovered that my return boat hadn't turned up....

If you are interested to learn more about St. Kilda, it's UNESCO status, the evacuation of the island or about the birdlife and wildlife, make sure to watch my previous video which goes into much more detail about the island itself.

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WHO AM I?
If we haven't met before... Hi, I'm Ruth 👋 and I recently bought a campervan to travel my home country of Scotland after living overseas for 12 years. I’ve hardly seen anything or been anywhere in Scotland and now is the time to change that!

P.S. Some of the links in this description are affiliate links that I get a kickback from.

[ruthaisling]

Hi everyone! I’ve noticed a few comments about me sharing my emotions in the video and a few people going as far to call me a cry baby for not wanting to sleep in a tent. 😂

I have a lot of experience camping, I’ve travelled Japan by motorbike and only camped. I’ve camped at the top of mountain summits and in many different counties where there are bears and snakes. I’m actually fine with camping! Have you also seen my video where I stay in the cave?

What I struggled with in this video was more the feeling of isolation and loneliness and the unknown of how long I would be there. A lot of travel I’ve done in my life has been with friends or part of a couple. I’m still adjusting to travelling alone. Most of the time it is great but there are also times it can feel hard, and this was one of them.

I could have cut that part out of the video, and I almost did. But it’s ok to have emotions. We are all human after all and I’d prefer to be someone who feels things and has emotions than not.

Thank you always for your support and I’m excited to share my next video which will be a world away from the isolation of St. Kilda!

P.S. I also want to share that the workmen I spoke with invited me for tea, they were very kind. Also the NTS staff made sure I was ok and had enough food. The people on the island did look out for me!

[daflotsam]

As a big guy who's done his fair share of backwoods tent camping, I know those moments of "smacked reality" of a stranded situation, and it can hit you like a ton of bricks.
Great job letting out the emotion, and then moving on to action with the tent relocation, and occupying some quality time in the store and such.
That kind of momentum gets you out of tough spots. Cheers!

[abinam]

Kudos to your resilience. Don't be desponded by those who criticized your human emotions. They are sitting on a comfy sofa, with leg warmers and a cup of tea/coffee, not having ever experienced solitude in a tent on a lonely island with no idea of when the next boat is coming by. Carry on and Godspeed.

[jonathanmarkbotterell]

Isolation is not pleasant. You could have cut out the part that upset you, but you didn't. This brave move, gave reality to the vlog. Bringing an honesty that we have come to love and expect from your travel experiences.
I'm sure I speak for many when I say, you just needed a big hug at that point. The line would have stretched to the Isle of Skye.
All the best our intrepid friend. Jonny😎☯️🌱

[navypti]

I've been watching a lot of Youtube vids on StKilda. Yours is without a doubt the best I've seen. You took the time to show us the "ins & outs" of island life, and in particular, explained the structures, which gave us a great understanding of life on the island. I'm definitely getting Tom Steels book to further learn about the sociaty of the Islanders. Thank you so much Ruth. Don't let the "haters" get you down. Nice to see a "Youtuber" not running to a script. Go you good thing!! Regards from NSW Australia.

[ToasterGhost]

These two videos of St Kilda were amazing, I'm so glad I stumbled upon them! How DARE people call you a cry baby for having a few tears because you were stranded! That's incredibly rude and cold of them. Some people just live to be mean and nasty to others. They probably would never dare to do something like this, by themselves at that. I applaud and commend you- I would've been a bigger crybaby! Dont let those people bring you down. They've likely never done anything close to this. I absolutely enjoyed your videos and I'm glad I've found you on YouTube. You are a joy to watch! You go, girl! Proud of you!

[trsintexas]

You’re cracking me up! “It looks like they have a chef” 😂😂😂

[LivingRiverJewelry]

Your emotions were soooo natural. That situation was hella rough. Alone, unable to talk to your loved ones, not sure when the boat is coming back, iffy weather, and in a place you’ve never been before. Even the toughest people would feel some anxiety. You did great. Never feel ashamed for taking risks and stepping out of your comfort zones. And THANK YOU for this beautiful video:) St Kilda is fascinating and gorgeous ❤️

[weaponsofmassdistraction]

I got stuck for 3 extra weeks at mcmurdo station in antarctica...even one day is like an eternity when youre done and ready to go

[ahfurnishings]

Ruth I felt so bad for you when you were crying
You kept your chin up and found a way to make the best of your situation
A very memorable trip and experience for you 😊

[tdhawk]

I’m loving the mouse. Glad I found your channel. I’m a retired Yank from Arizona. I’m a bit of an Anglophile and love the culture, history, and culture of Scotland. Thank you!

[DeniseIreland-iq]

Ruth, sleep inside the museum!
Great adventure! We are experiencing it with you dear, Scottish Sis!!
Blessings

[keithhunt]

At 3:45 i just want to give you a big hug, and tell you that everything would be alright. Suppose things like this do happen, luckily you had enough food. But you have shown us that things aren’t always sunshine and easy camping. Keep smiling. ❤⛺️🌹

[oblomovtheunknown]

I think you really bring it home regarding how we are dependent on so many things. Just a few deprivations and we feel lost. But sometimes after such experiences we realize that in retrospect they had their moments! Who will forget your mouse? It is up there with Robbie Burns' one. :-). I love your vlogs as you come across as warm and sympathetic as well as being a marvellous narrator. What a great way to pass nearly 18 mins on a Sunday evening. Thank you so much!!

[Earthstein]

Ruth, you are such a girl. It's wonderful and beautiful. I raised three lovely daughters; the youngest is your age, and she is very much like you, it seems. Yours is the only 'travel' type channel I watch (with the exception of an English 'Narrow boat' channel (The Mindful Narrowboat") with a woman and her golden dog.) Your adventures appear to be heartfelt and brutally honest. I love and appreciate that. Thank you. BTW, last week I bought a bottle of "The Glenlivet 12" to sip on while I follow your adventures; if the mood strikes me. Be safe, be happy. Continue bringing joy to others.

[willevans]

listening to the sounds of the rain on the tent sounds so cozy, mouse to keep you company, plenty of food, great time!

[charleswillcock]

One of my favourite quotes
There was storm which hit the Scottish islands and the interviewer on Radio 4 said, "how fast strong was the wind?"
Person on the island. “I do not know the measuring device was rated to work up to 150mph – but it has been blown away”.

[johnash]

I don`t like seeing you upset Ruth, loved the content as always!!

[spook]

I bet the mouse was pleased the boat was delayed ... 🐭👍

[BlowinFree]

I’m so surprised the other islanders didn’t invite you to their cottages to help you they must’ve known you were there ❤