Architectural Vision | Sealladh Ailtireach
A building shaped by landscape, memory and the edge of the world
Togalach air a dhealbhadh le cruth-tìre, cuimhne agus oir an t-saoghail
The design of Ionad Hiort | St Kilda Centre responds to the dramatic landscape of St Kilda, blending seamlessly with cliffs and sky. Sustainable materials, low-impact construction and thoughtful accessibility ensure every visitor can experience the site safely and fully.
Chaidh Ionad Hiort a dhealbhadh ann an dòigh a tha a’ freagairt air an àrainneachd timcheall air a’ Gheodha Sgoilt far am bi e suidhichte, agus aig an aon àm a’ freagairt air cruth-tìre iongantach Hiort, a’ measgachadh gu rèidh leis na creagan agus an t-adhar. Nì stuthan seasmhach, obair-togail le buaidh bheag agus ruigsinneachd chùramach cinnteach gum faigh gach neach-tadhail eòlas air an làrach gu sàbhailte agus gu h-iomlan.
Inspired by the Edge | Air a bhrosnachadh leis an Oirthir
The site was chosen not only for its line of sight to St Kilda on the horizon, but for the visceral experience it offers. As visitors arrive they feel the sweep of Atlantic air, the weight of sky and the presence of sea-stacks rising below them. This is deliberate: a gentle echo of what it means to stand on Hiort itself - a place of pilgrimage, openness and exposure.
Chaidh an làrach a thaghadh chan ann a-mhàin airson na loidhne-sheallaidh a th’ ann gu Hiort air fàire ach airson an eòlais bhrìoghmhoir a tha e a’ tabhachd. Nuair a ruigeas neach-tadhail, bidh iad a’ faireachdainn sguabadh èadhair a’ Chuain Shiar, cuideam nan speuran agus làthaireachd nan stacan-mara ag èirigh an-àird às a' mhuir. Tha seo air a dhèanamh a dh’aona ghnothaich: mac-talla socair, a’ samhlachadh gu ìre, seasamh air Hiort fhèin - àite taistealachd, fosgailteachd agus follaiseachd.
A Building Belonging to the Land
Togalach a bhuineas don Tìr
The Centre takes the form of a low, narrow, 65-metre-long structure, set carefully into the natural contours. Three parallel stone walls, referencing the long drystone boundaries of St Kilda, reach out to guide visitors onto the rooftop landscape or down into a sheltered courtyard.
Clad entirely in local granite and gneiss, with Caithness flagstone underfoot, the exterior appears almost geological, as if revealed rather than constructed. From a distance, the building reads as part of the hillside. Up close, the detailing carries the warm, tactile presence of Scottish Douglas Fir, forming a calm and welcoming interior that contrasts with the drama outside.
Bidh an t-Ionad ann an cruth ìosal, cumhang, 65 meatair a dh'fhaid, suidhichte gu nàdarrach san àrainneachd. Tha trì ballachan-cloiche co-shìnte nan samhla air gàrraidhean-cloiche Hiort, a’ sìneadh a-mach gus luchd-tadhail a stiùireadh gu mullach an t-ionaid far am faigh iad barrachd thaisbeanaidhean, no gu cùirt-dìonta gu h-ìosal.
Air a chòmhdach gu lèir le clach-ghràin agus gneiss ionadail, le leacan-cloiche Ghallaibh fo do chasan, tha an taobh a-muigh a’ coimhead geòlasach, mar gum biodh e air fhoillseachadh seach air a thogail. Bho astar tha an togalach a’ coimhead mar phàirt de thaobh na beinne. Faisg air làimh, tha dreach bhlàth, bheantainneach giuthas dùghlais Albannach a’ cruthachadh taobh a-staigh socair, aoigheil a tha eadar-dhealaichte bhon dràma a-muigh.
“A solution that is both pragmatic and poetic.”
Inside
Inside, immersive exhibitions, cabinets of stories and memories, and interactive displays will allow visitors to engage with St Kilda’s language, culture and history in meaningful ways.
A-staigh, chithear taisbeanaidhean inntinneach, caibineatan de sgeulachdan is chuimhneachain agus taisbeanaidhean eadar-ghnìomhach a bheir cothrom do luchd-tadhail ceangal a dhèanamh ri cànan, cultar agus eachdraidh Hiort ann an dòighean brìoghmhor.
Outside
Outside, clifftop walks and viewing points will offer sweeping views across the North Atlantic, allowing visitors to experience the elemental beauty of the sea, stacks, and sky.
A- muigh bidh cuairtean coiseachd air mullach nan creagan agus puingean-seallaidh a’ tabhach seallaidhean farsaing thairis air a’ Chuan Shiar a Tuath, a’ leigeil le neach-tadhail dùileach àlainn na mara, nan stacan-mara agus nan speuran fhaicinn nan uile ghlòir.
The Centre is the product of a close collaboration between Dualchas Architects (Skye) and Reiulf Ramstad Arkitektur (Oslo).
Together they have created a building that is both ambitious and deeply respectful: a place where visitors can step into the story of St Kilda while remaining rooted in the elemental beauty of Uig.
Design Collaboration
“More than just a museum, this cultural hub offers a sensory and emotional journey into St Kildan life.”
“We hope it will be a dramatic visitor destination as well as an important resource for the community.”
