St. Kilda

[peter k]

Here's one for the fish prodders. I wouldn't mind a jaunt there myself. A bit pricey though.

St. KILDA

Peter

[parahandy]

Peter
Just had a look back in my log book for 1985 went to St Kilda for the week on a BSAC Expedition, cost then £350 for the week( food air accomodation) those were the days.  
I considered at the time and still do that this is the best diving location in Britain. Remember doing a night dive at midnight with one of the army personnel based there, only trouble with those latitudes  in June it was still daylight.
 
Agree the current prices seem a bit steep.

[malcolm smith]

I sorted a trip for my club with Poplar Diver this summer.
Most things have gone up in price in the last approx 20yrs, £350 to £550 is probably a fairly typical inflation lift since then, I am no economist though.
Agree St Kilda is the most stunning place I've dived in open water, it's pretty d*mned impressive above the water too.
We had a bit of an adventure getting there, force 8s obliged a fantastic circuit of the inner and outer Hebrides before we made a dash for it over an undulating magic carpet ride courtesy of the open Atlantic.
Coming back, via Barra, it was as calm as you like.
Cost, once you are on the boat, unless you are buying booze on the boat-----surely not--------there is no extra cost.
PS, the boat ran out of wine on our trip

If you drink in the Puffin, you will have to drink a heck of a lot before you notice your wallet getting any thinner.
Every UK diver should make the pilgrimage at least once before hanging up their flippers

Cheers, Malcolm.

[Helen F H]

i want to go.  Can we take our rib?

[peter k]

I really hope that's a joke Helen!

Peter

[Narked@50]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (malcolm smith @ Dec. 10 2003,23:54)]Every UK diver should make the pilgrimage at least once before hanging up their flippers

Flippers???

Anyway, sounds like a good destination for the summer. Are there any budding organisers out there who know enough about this lonely place to do a trip at a decent price?

James

[Gavin Yates]

<font color='#000F22'>There's a mate of mine who is doing a trip around the back of Harris for a week next year that gives the chance of getting Kilda for a couple of days.

BUT

You can plan Kilda as much as you like but if the weather isn't right you haven't a freakin' chance of getting near the bugger.

I'll see how many places are left and post details and availability for the gig.

[John Gulliver]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (peter k @ Dec. 11 2003,22:41)]I really hope that's a joke Helen!

Peter

Peter, it may not have been. There was an article in Diver (or was it Dive?) a year or two ago on a club that took two fast RIBs to St Kilda. I remember the expedition took a lot of planning and they had to wait a day or so for the weather window but it obviously can be done. On the other hand, I've met people that have been there on a hardboat and spewed all the way there and all the way back &nbsp;

[malcolm smith]

Poplar Diver and Halme Bjorg--------hopeless spelling probably-------the boats in the Northern Lights stable are the most likely boats to get you there. They are far more likely to make the crossing in lumpy weather than any other boat doing the Kilda run.

None but the brave

Seriously, the diving is terrific, rocks  festooned with pretty things, and the rock formations-----especially Sgarbhstac, an arch that bottoms out at 50m----is a good diving memory to have.
The diving is not just for ultra tekkies, most of our group did the trip with a 12l plus pony, a few with 2 12s and 7l deco stage. Nitrox is available and very useful on Poplar Diver, but that is hardly tekky these days.
RIB?---------I vaguely remember an article in Diver mag where some divers did a trip in a RIB, not sure though
On Harris in Rodel Bay, we did the Stassa, featured in a Diver wreck tour which is well worth doing.

If you like St Abbs on its best day---------pay the money, and make the trip  

Cheers, Malcolm.

[Helen F H]

i went to a presentation at the dive show where a club went to st kilda with two ribs. &nbsp;i guess you havent seen my clubs rib. &nbsp;Lets just say we were planning to take her for a wee trip to norway.................the wet way.