Research:

Dazzling life in marine caves revealed

Researchers have released stunning images of the thriving marine life hidden away in the underwater caves of the remote island of St Kilda.

They discovered some of the most fascinating wildlife in the waters surrounding the uninhabited Scottish island during an expedition which took place 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 impressive underwater snaps also include colourful corals, the transparent juvenile anglerfish and velvet swimming crabs.

Other species they managed to capture include scorpion fish, Yarell's blenny, blue-rayed limpets, sea slugs and a variety of beautifully kaleidoscopic anemones.

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

The pair teamed up with scientists from HeriotWatt University, ScottishNatural Heritage (SNH) and National Museums Scotland (NMS) in a bid to document the caves.

Lisa Kamphausen, from SNH's marine team, said: “Diving in St Kilda's sea caves was an experience I will never forget.

“Assessing the condition of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) is an important part of the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy.

“It enables us to report onthe stateof anarea'sprotected features and observe the effectiveness of management measures in place at a site.

“I think it's fair to say that wefound the sea caves at St Kilda in excellent condition.”

The waters around St Kilda form part of Scotland's MPA network, designated as a Special Area of Conservation for their reefs andsea caves, whichattract a wealth of strange and colourful life.

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

Life became increasingly c h a l l e n g i n g on the archipelago and its last 36 human residents were evacuated in 1930.

But the islands remain hugely important for wildlife, including the world's second largest colony of North Atlantic gannets – the largest being on Bass Rock in the Firth of Forth.

“Diving in St Kilda's sea caves was an experience I will never forget”