 The first written record of St Kilda may date from 1202 when an Icelandic cleric wrote of taking shelter on " the islands that are called Hirtir " . Early reports mentioned finds of brooches , an iron sword and Danish coins , and the enduring Norse place names indicate a sustained Viking presence on Hirta , but the visible evidence has been lost . The first English language reference is from the late 14th century , when John of Fordun mentioned ' the isle of Irte , which is agreed to be under the Circius and on the margins of the world ' . The islands were historically part of the domain of the MacLeods of Harris , whose steward was responsible for the collection of rents in kind and other duties . The first detailed report of a visit to the islands dates from 1549 , when Donald Munro suggested that : " The inhabitants thereof ar simple poor people , scarce learnit in aney religion , but M ’ Cloyd of Herray , his stewart , or he quhom he deputs in sic office , sailes anes in the zear ther at midsummer , with some chaplaine to baptize bairnes ther . " 
