Hirta Island, in the St Kilda archipelago of ScotlandIn 1861, the island’s residents constructed sixteen single-story cottages with chimneys and slate roofs, which they referred to as the “main street.” These homes replaced older blackhouses that had been damaged by a hurricane. The community lived primarily through crofting, a traditional form of small-scale farming involving crops and livestock .Hirta had been inhabited for over 2,000 years, with archaeological evidence of continuous human presence.— with Wow Scenery.The islanders’ diet largely depended on seabirds and their eggs due to the treacherous waters making fishing difficult. By the early 20th century, the population started to decline due to various factors, including disease brought by visiting tourists and the impact of World War I. The population dwindled from 112 in 1851 to just 36 by 1930, when the remaining residents petitioned to evacuate the island, citing unsustainable living conditions.The island is now uninhabited but remains a dual UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today it is home to unique wildlife, includng the Soay sheep and numerous seabird colonies.Source: Wonders of the Past
