We know that there are hundreds of thousands of people who would like to learn more about St Kilda

National Trust spokesman

The main island, Hirta, once supported Britain's most remote community, with the inhabitants surviving for centuries on the seabird population, subsistence agriculture and eating dishes such as baked puffin.

They harvested nesting birds and their eggs by scaling the 1,400ft cliffs.

By the 1920s the population had fallen from 200 to 36, and this decline, along with poverty and severe weather, led to them abandoning their homes in August 1930 and moving to the mainland.

Despite its reputation as a harsh environment, surveys have uncovered evidence that suggests St Kilda was inhabited as early as 3,000BC.

It is thought the islands were once relatively affluent, with sufficient resources to allow prehistoric islanders to quarry and make tools.

Seabird colonies

They boast a wealth of wildlife and are home to north western Europe's most important colony of seabirds, with about a million of them living on the cliffs.

Due to its inaccessibility, only about 1,500 people a year make the sea voyage to St Kilda, with many of these taking part in working holidays as part of the trust's conservation volunteer programme.

The islands are home to thousands of seabirds

A National Trust for Scotland spokesman said: "It's difficult getting there and that keeps the numbers down.

"We know that there are hundreds of thousands of people who would like to learn more about St Kilda, so this website is an answer to that demand."

Project director Robin Turner said there was a "tremendous international thirst" for knowledge about St Kilda.

He added: "With extensive contributions from experts in the fields of geology, natural heritage, history and archaeology and Scottish studies, www.kilda.org.uk represents the definitive source for information about St Kilda past, present and future.

"With dual world heritage status now a distinct possibility, the need for this resource is even greater."

If granted this would put the islands on a par with such places as Ayers Rock in Australia, Mount Athos in Greece and the ancient Inca sanctuary of Machu Picchu in Peru.