Glasgow and the Highlands – SS Dunara Poster

"Dunara Castle every ten days to Colonsay, Iona, Bunessan, Tiree, Struan, Carbost, Colbost, Dunvegan, Stein, Uig, Scalpay, Tarbert, Finsbay, Leverburgh, Lochmaddy, Kallin, Carnan, Lochboisdale, Barra."

The cost of sailing to Skye and the Outer Hebrides was £5 with a cabin or £1.15 "steerage" class (equivalent price today is around £60 / £34).

Puffin Trap - St Kilda

puffin trap-st kilda (scran)

SS Dunara Castle - from Glasgow to St Kidla

The S.S. Dunara Castle, named after a ruined castle on the north west coast of Mull, was built by Martin Orme. Her maiden voyage was on 21st July 1875. The 423 ton steamer originally had two funnels, but was refunnelled in 1899. As well as carrying cargo the Dunara Castle had accommodation for 44 cabin class passengers. She sailed weekly between Glasgow and the Hebrides in the summer months, and during the high season the trips were extended to St. Kilda. She was used in the evacuation of St Kilda residents in 1930. Most of the crew were Gaelic speakers from the highlands and islands, with three generations of one family serving on the steamer. The Dunara was scrapped in Glasgow in 1948 after 70 years of service.

above from Am Baile webiste

St. Kilda Mailboats

above image from National Maritime Museum

text/images below from National Trust-St. Kilda website-bold&red tsB notes

By mid 19th century there was increasing contact with the outside world: A steam yacht - the Vulcan - visited St Kilda in 1838. From 1877 the SS Dunara Castle (brought supplies--twice? a year) began regular summer cruises to St Kilda, and was soon joined by others such as the SS Hebrides (tourist ship as per brochure below).

The gradual loss of self-sufficiency and morale had begun - this was to end with the evacuation of the islanders in 1930.

Brochure advertising cruises to St Kilda Photograph: Glasgow Museums

Posting the mailboat in 1897 Photograph: Cherry Kearton