St Kilda facts for kids

St Kilda is a name used for several different places around the world. These places are often named after a saint or a ship. Let's explore some of the places that share this interesting name!

Places Named St Kilda Around the World

St Kilda in Scotland

The most famous St Kilda is an archipelago (a group of islands) located far out in the Atlantic Ocean off the west coast of Scotland. It's a very special place known for its amazing natural beauty and history.

• Wild Islands: St Kilda is made up of several islands, including Hirta, Dun, Soay, and Boreray. They have huge, steep cliffs and are home to millions of seabirds, like puffins and gannets.
• UNESCO World Heritage Site: Because of its unique nature and history, St Kilda is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This means it's considered very important to the world and is protected.
• Past Life: People used to live on Hirta, the main island, for thousands of years. They lived a very tough life, relying on the seabirds and sheep for food and resources. The last few people left the island in 1930 because life there was too difficult.

St Kilda in Australia

Australia has several places named St Kilda, often after the ship Lady of St Kilda.

• St Kilda, Victoria: This is a lively suburb of Melbourne, a big city in Australia. It's known for its beach, pier, and fun atmosphere.
  • Sports Teams: St Kilda is home to famous sports teams:
    • St Kilda Football Club: This team plays Australian Rules Football, a popular sport in Australia. The club was started in 1873 and is known as the "Saints."
    • St Kilda Cricket Club: This club plays cricket, another popular sport.
  • Transport: The St Kilda light rail station helps people travel around Melbourne.
• Other Australian Locations:
  • St Kilda, South Australia: A suburb of Adelaide, another major Australian city.
  • St Kilda, Queensland: A small area in the Bundaberg Region.

St Kilda in New Zealand

New Zealand also has a place called St Kilda.

• St Kilda, New Zealand: This is a suburb of Dunedin, a city on the South Island of New Zealand.
• Former Electorate: There was once a political area called St Kilda (New Zealand electorate) that helped choose members of the New Zealand Parliament.

St Kilda in Canada

• St. Kilda, Alberta: In Canada, there's a small, unincorporated community called St. Kilda in Warner County, Alberta.

The Ship: Lady of St Kilda

The Lady of St Kilda was a schooner, which is a type of sailing ship. This ship was important because the suburb of St Kilda in Melbourne, Australia, was named after it.