IT was evacuated because it was so remote, but now nine enthusiasts are preparing for the first ever known swim to St Kilda this summer.
Doing the swim in shifts, the team estimate they will take about 40 hours to complete the 60 miles from Horgabost in Harris to the remote outpost.
The idea came about during the Big Minch Swim in 2012, from Ullapool to Stornoway which raised around £23,500 for the RNLI.
Colin Macleod, 41, the Stornoway-based team captain, wanted a bigger challenge.
"The choice was obvious - St Kilda, the dual world heritage site. A beautiful and mystical place, where the local inhabitants left in 1930 after decades of hard living.
"Each swimmer will take it in turns to be in the water one at a time for 45 minutes of front crawl. It's the same set up as when we conquered the Minch.
"It will be about 60 miles through the North Atlantic Ocean, which as we know, will not be easy."
The team will be supported by three kayakers and Oban based cabin cruiser, The Kyle Bhan.
Mr Macleod was a swimming teacher until 2011 when he was asked to join a Little Minch (between Skye and the Outer Isles) swim team.
"The passion just grew from there. It is something I wish I started years ago. I love being in the sea, taking the odd risk, using my abilities to raise money for charities, seeing the world from a different angle and meeting like minded people who share this crazy obsession."
He has brought together a nine-strong team. Most members come from the Western Isles but Easter Ross, Aberdeen and Motherwell are also represented.
The event is raising money for The Fishermen's Mission, Yorkhill Children's Charity and the Leanne Fund which grants special wishes for young people with Cystic Fibrosis in the Highlands and Islands.
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