Cookies

We use necessary cookies to make our site work. We'd also like to set optional analytics cookies to help us improve it. We won't set optional cookies unless you enable them or accept our recommended settings. Using this tool will set a cookie on your device to remember your preferences.

Options
Necessary cookies enable core functionality on our website. You may disable these by changing your browser settings, but this may affect how the website functions.
We use marketing cookies to personalise your visit to our website and show you tailored advertising based on your likes and interests.
We use analytics cookies to monitor visitor behaviour patterns and improve our website performance.

Your preferences have been set. If you wish to change your preferences, you may do so on our cookies page.

Storm Floris
Places

Due to Storm Floris, some of our places remain closed today. We’re sorry for any inconvenience caused – please check our website or property social channels before travelling.

Places
Search My Trust
Join now
Join
Close

Looking for places? Use our place search to find them by name, town or postcode.

See all stories
5 Aug 2025

Landslip on St Kilda after Storm Floris hits

Image of St Kilda from the sea. Birds fly around the rocky cliffs.
Storm Floris caused a landslip on St Kilda and brought down trees and cut power across Scotland.

Heavy rainfall associated with Storm Floris has caused a significant landslip on the St Kilda World Heritage Site.

The remote archipelago off the west coast of Scotland is cared for by the National Trust for Scotland and is the UK’s only dual UNESCO world heritage site designated for both its cultural and environmental significance.

 

Expand image 1: Expand image 2: Expand image 3:

Tons of mud and stone were swept down the hillside damaging some of the unique cleits and demolishing drystone dyke enclosures at the bottom of the slope.

A full assessment of the damage will be undertaken by Clare Henderson, St Kilda Archaeologist, when it is safe to access the area later this week.

Quote
“Landslips like this are rare on St Kilda and we have not seen anything on this scale in recent decades. Sadly, as we continue to see the impacts of changing weather patterns through climate change, heavy summer rainfall events are predicted to increase in frequency and intensity, so it may be something that happens more frequently. We will work with our partners, including Historic Environment Scotland, to repair damage and investigate future mitigation.”
Susan Bain
Property Manager

Almost all National Trust for Scotland properties were closed yesterday due to Storm Floris. Today, teams are clearing up after trees have come down, with some sites without power. The charity is reminding visitors to check www.nts.org.uk and property social media before travelling.

Donations to support the charity’s work to care for St Kilda can be made at https://www.nts.org.uk/campaigns/caring-for-st-kilda.

Featured Places

Place

St Kilda

Fragments of the past haunt these islands, now home to the UK’s largest colony of Atlantic puffins

Hebrides
Back to top