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
