Sorry DeltaFree, been a bit busy. I can't remember the wind limits as laid down in the SOP's for St Kilda, but obviously operated within them. Each individual reads/feels wind in different ways ( no rude remarks now) and for myself St Kilda did not cause me too much of a problem.
I had previously spent many years working in the mountains up to 15,000 ft, base camp was often 10,000 ft or above. We had a number of Austrian and French pilots who were only too happy to pass on tips etc. and also to teach during prof checks. Yes I had the odd fright, once outright terror, but over time I felt comfortable in the mountains but kept at the back of my mind they could bite.
Today would be another story, not too many mountains over the North Sea and I'm sure my skills have eroded over time.