Warning of climate change risks to remote St Kilda
Scientists say they have identified the biggest climate change threats to one of Scotland's most fragile environments.
St Kilda more than 40 miles (64km) west of the Western Isles is home to thousands of sea birds, and also unique sub-species of mouse and wren.
A new study suggests rising temperatures, more frequent and severe storms and changes to ocean currents pose the greatest risks to the archipelago.
National Trust for Scotland (NTS), which manages St Kilda, said it was already seeing the impact of warmer seas on the food chain that supports the islands' birds.
St Kilda, a group of small islands and rocky sea stacks, were abandoned by its last 36 islanders in 1930.
The main island of Hirta is inhabited on a temporary basis by visiting NTS workers and also volunteers, scientists and contractors who work at small Ministry of Defence site.
The archipelago is a Unesco dual World Heritage Site, the status recognising its cultural and natural qualities.
Scientists looked for climate change threats using an assessment tool called the Climate Vulnerability Index (CVI).
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