Pictures capture St Kilda’s stunning sea life

RESEARCHERS have released these stunning images of the thriving marine life hidden away in the underwater caves of St Kilda.

They discovered some of the wildlife in the Atlantic waters surrounding the uninhabited Scottish island during an expedition last year. Among the highlights are the British Wildlife Photography Awards’ overall winning picture of a lion’s mane jellyfish swimming near Village Bay on the island.

The pictures also include colourful corals, the transparent juvenile anglerfish and velvet swimming crabs. Others include scorpion fish, Yarell’s blenny, blue-rayed limpets, sea slugs and kaleidoscopic anemones.

The waters around St Kilda form part of Scotland’s Marine Protected Area (MPA) network, designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) for their reefs and sea caves, which attract a wealth of strange and colourful life.

St Kilda lies 41 miles west of Benbecula in the Outer Hebrides and is one of the most remote parts of the British Isles.

The images were taken by award-winning marine photographers Richard Shucksmith and George Stoyle.

Lisa Kamphausen, from SNH’s marine team, said: “It’s fair to say we found the sea caves at St Kilda in excellent condition.”

MAKING WAVES: The diving survey vessel MV Halton in Village Bay at St Kilda as divers took the plunge and discovered the hidden wonders in the island’s waters.

SPECIES: Yellowy green and purple jewel anemones.

IN DEEP: Divers study the marine life of St Kilda.

DISCOVERY: Lion’s mane jellyfish in the island’s Village Bay.