 The morning of the evacuation promised a perfect day . The sun rose out of a calm and sparkling sea and warmed the impassive cliffs of Oiseval . The sky was hopelessly blue and the sight of Hirta , green and pleasant as the island of so many careless dreams , made parting all the more difficult . Observing tradition the islanders left an open Bible and a small pile of oats in each house , locked all the doors and at 7 am boarded the Harebell . Although exhausted by the strain and hard work of the last few days , they were reported to have stayed cheerful throughout the operation . But as the long antler of Dun fell back onto the horizon and the familiar outline of the island grew faint , the severing of an ancient tie became a reality and the St Kildans gave way to tears . 
