Not many people are aware of the fact that during the summers of 1957 and 1958 a detachment of approx 300 RAF personnel from the Airfield Construction Branch 5004 Squadron (mostly RAF National Servicemen) worked from April to September each year building the road to the top of the mountain and all the Military buildings and infrastructure. They lived in tents under arduous conditions (at times most of the tents and their contents were completely blown away) and in serious inclement weather the Servicemen took shelter in solme of the old stone cleats). They worked for 6 days each week and It is recorded that these conditions led to 2 mutinies taking place. A quarry was opened and material for the roads and other buildings blasted. When the quarry blasting took place up to a million birds took to the air ! Their link to the mainland was by 2 x 800 ton flat bottomed front opening Royal Navy tank landing craft vessels, manned by ROAC Army crews, who made the hazardous trips from the military port at Cairnryian as and when weather permitted. For any further info and photographs feel free to contact Mr Honey. pgh122@hotmail.com.
@@litljortindan excellent writing there, thanks for link. When you see the close view of the stats , it makes you think what a hard life the St Kildans lived when they had scale these for food.
Very few people are aware that in the Summers of 1957 and 1958 some 300 RAF personnel (mostly National Servicemen) of the Airfield Construction Branch 5004 Sqd lived under canvas in harsh conditions and built the road to the top of the Island and all the military infra structure . Bad weather conditions and the hard work blasting , quarrying etc led to 2 recorded mutinies taking place. For Further info plus photographs etc of the RAF involvement: contact Mr Honey. pgh122@hotmail.com
Not many people are aware of the fact that during the summers of 1957 and 1958 a detachment of approx 300 RAF personnel from the Airfield Construction Branch 5004 Squadron (mostly RAF National Servicemen) worked from April to September each year building the road to the top of the mountain and all the Military buildings and infrastructure. They lived in tents under arduous conditions (at times most of the tents and their contents were completely blown away) and in serious inclement weather the Servicemen took shelter in solme of the old stone cleats). They worked for 6 days each week and It is recorded that these conditions led to 2 mutinies taking place. A quarry was opened and material for the roads and other buildings blasted. When the quarry blasting took place up to a million birds took to the air ! Their link to the mainland was by 2 x 800 ton flat bottomed front opening Royal Navy tank landing craft vessels, manned by ROAC Army crews, who made the hazardous trips from the military port at Cairnryian as and when weather permitted. For any further info and photographs feel free to contact Mr Honey. pgh122@hotmail.com.
One of the most beautiful videos on youtube I've ever seen!
Nice film and no commentary! I walked around Hirta in August 2000. You were very lucky to get good weather.
incredibly beautiful great video thanks for sharing this
Brilliant.
Thanks for posting.
Not many people are aware of the fact that during the summers of 1957 and 1958 a detachment of approx 300 RAF personnel from the Airfield Construction Branch 5004 Squadron (mostly RAF National Servicemen) worked from April to September each year building the road to the top of the mountain and all the Military buildings and infrastructure.
They lived in tents under arduous conditions (at times most of the tents and their contents were completely blown away) and in serious inclement weather the Servicemen took shelter in solme of the old stone cleats).
They worked for 6 days each week and It is recorded that these conditions led to 2 mutinies taking place.
A quarry was opened and material for the roads and other buildings blasted.
When the quarry blasting took place up to a million birds took to the air !
Their link to the mainland was by 2 x 800 ton flat bottomed front opening Royal Navy tank landing craft vessels, manned by ROAC Army crews, who made the hazardous trips from the military port at Cairnryian as and when weather permitted.
For any further info and photographs feel free to contact Mr Honey.
pgh122@hotmail.com.
Thanks for uploading. A definite "like" from me. Enjoyed my trip over there very much. Came home with great memories.hazel.
Beautiful footage , shame there’s no commentary as I’m reading Tom Steeles’ book The life & death of St Kilda
I wrote a bit about the trip here: www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=42078
@@litljortindan excellent writing there, thanks for link. When you see the close view of the stats , it makes you think what a hard life the St Kildans lived when they had scale these for food.
Very few people are aware that in the Summers of 1957 and 1958 some 300 RAF personnel (mostly National Servicemen) of the Airfield Construction Branch 5004 Sqd lived under canvas in harsh conditions and built the road to the top of the Island and all the military infra structure .
Bad weather conditions and the hard work blasting , quarrying etc led to 2 recorded mutinies taking place.
For Further info plus photographs etc of the RAF involvement: contact Mr Honey.
pgh122@hotmail.com
Words fail me
Sorry, too shaky for me.
Not many people are aware of the fact that during the summers of 1957 and 1958 a detachment of approx 300 RAF personnel from the Airfield Construction Branch 5004 Squadron (mostly RAF National Servicemen) worked from April to September each year building the road to the top of the mountain and all the Military buildings and infrastructure.
They lived in tents under arduous conditions (at times most of the tents and their contents were completely blown away) and in serious inclement weather the Servicemen took shelter in solme of the old stone cleats).
They worked for 6 days each week and It is recorded that these conditions led to 2 mutinies taking place.
A quarry was opened and material for the roads and other buildings blasted.
When the quarry blasting took place up to a million birds took to the air !
Their link to the mainland was by 2 x 800 ton flat bottomed front opening Royal Navy tank landing craft vessels, manned by ROAC Army crews, who made the hazardous trips from the military port at Cairnryian as and when weather permitted.
For any further info and photographs feel free to contact Mr Honey.
pgh122@hotmail.com.