The charity, which owns and cares for the remote archipelago, is currently updating its management plan. The plan sets out exactly how the Trust and its partners will conserve the UK’s only mixed World Heritage site and its important natural and cultural heritage for present and future generations.

The existing plan was launched in 2003 and has guided the management and conservation of the heritage over the intervening years. Some of the main outcomes of the last plan were the extension of the World Heritage Site to include the marine environment and cultural landscape. Work has continued to sensitively conserve the Village Bay area; study of the seabird populations and the factors affecting their success has been undertaken and more visitors than ever have been welcomed to the archipelago. A new museum display was installed in 2003; and the new Gaelic language St Kilda website was launched as was the Wee Kilda Guide – a website specifically designed to engage young people.

A consultation on the Trust’s future plans begins today (23 November) and runs until 8 January 2010. A wide range of people and groups are being invited to contribute to the plans, including Western Isles communities.

The key areas covered in the plan are conservation, access and education.

Vicky Cairns, Management Planner at the Trust, is leading the review project. She said:

“The Trust is committed to ensuring that St Kilda gets the best possible care and protection, so that its treasures can live on for future generations. The Trust and its partners are updating the existing management plan, as we do every five years or so. The management plan sets out exactly how we will achieve this, and we know that there are many experts and enthusiasts out there with something to contribute.”

For more information on the consultation visit the National Trust for Scotland’s website www.nts.org.uk and look at the St Kilda pages in the Visits section, or go to the St Kilda websites www.kilda.org.uk and www.hiort.org.uk or contact StKildaConsultation@nts.org.uk.