Eynhallow

{{Infobox Scottish island

|Image=Eynhallow 250511.jpg

|ImageCaption=Eynhallow viewed from Rousay, from the north-east, with the Orkney Mainland beyond

|location_map=Scotland Orkney

|caption=Eynhallow shown within Orkney

|coordinates = {{coord|59.14|-3.11|display=inline}}

|GridReference=HY359291

|celtic name=

|scots name=

|norse name=Eyinhelga

|meaning of name= Holy island

|area= {{convert|75|ha|sqmi|2}}

|area rank= 168

|highest elevation= {{convert|30|m|ft|0}}

|Population= 0{{NRS1C}}

|population rank=

|main settlement=

|island group=Orkney

|local authority=Orkney Islands

|references={{sfn|Haswell-Smith|2004|pp=381-383}}{{cite map|title=Ordnance Survey: Landranger map sheet 6 Orkney (Mainland)|ISBN=9780319228128|publisher=Ordnance Survey|date=2014}}[http://www.orkneyjar.com/placenames/pl-isle.htm Orkney Placenames]. Orkneyjar. Retrieved 5 March 2024.Pedersen, Roy (January 1992) Orkneyjar ok Katanes (map, Inverness, Nevis Print)

}}

Eynhallow is a small, presently uninhabited island in Eynhallow Sound, between Rousay and the Mainland of Orkney, off the north coast of mainland Scotland. It is {{convert|75|ha|sqmi|2|abbr=off}} in area.

There is an unnamed skerry about {{convert|100|m|ft|abbr=off}} to the north-east of the island, separated by Fint Sound. Sheep Skerry adjoins the southern end of the island.

There is no ferry to the island, although Orkney Heritage Society organises a trip each July.[http://www.orkneycommunities.co.uk/ohs/index.asp?pageid=2907 Orkney Heritage Society website] Otherwise, visitors have to arrange their own transport to the island by private local boat hire. Access can be problematic, as there are strong tidal surges in the surrounding strait, funnelled between Mainland and Rousay.{{cite web| url=http://www.aroundrousay.co.uk/eynhallow.shtml| title=Eynhallow| publisher=Around Rousay| access-date=8 January 2008}}

Etymology

The Norse named the island Eyinhelga,Anderson (1873) p. 176 meaning "holy island". Johan Blaeu's 17th century Atlas Novus records the name as Alhallow.{{sfn|Irvine|2006|p=30}} Skene's 19th century translation of John of Fordun's 14th century Chronica Gentis Scotorum records the name as Enhallow.{{sfn|John of Fordun|1872|p=41}}

History

File:Ruined chapel on Eynhallow - geograph.org.uk - 261333.jpg

The island's main attraction is Eynhallow Church, dating from the 12th century or earlier, and perhaps originally part of a monastery.{{cite web| url=http://www.scottish-places.info/features/featurefirst1727.html | title=Overview of Eynhallow| publisher=Gazetteer for Scotland| access-date=5 January 2008}} The site is maintained by Historic Scotland.

In 1841 the island had a population of 26. It has been uninhabited since the landowner cleared crofters away in 1851. The clearing led to the discovery of the church ruins, forgotten until then.{{cite web| url=http://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/eynhallow-church/ | title=Eynhallow Church| publisher=Historic Environment Scotland| access-date=16 January 2022}} The island is now a bird sanctuary.

Described as "perhaps the most mystical of the Orkney isles",{{sfn|Hewitson|2003|p=187}} it has its own folklore concerning the initial finding of the island. Eynhallow was believed to be the summer residence of the shape-shifting mer-people the Finfolk before they were driven away by a farmer from Evie, the Guidman o' Thorodale.{{cite web| url=http://www.orkneyjar.com/folklore/finfolk/eynfree.htm| title=Folklore| publisher=orkneyjar.com| access-date=8 January 2008}}Turnbull, Catherine (29 July 2010) "Exploring the Mysteries of Eynhallow". Kirkwall: Orkney News.

Cinderella stamps

Cinderella stamp issues have been made for Eynhallow since at least 1973. They have no postal currency."[https://colnect.com/en/stamps/years/country/1773-Scotland_Eynhallow_Cinderella_Stamps Scotland, Eynhallow: Cinderella Stamps]," colnect.com. Retrieved 6 October 2024.

Notes

References

{{Haswell-Smith}}
{{Orkneyinga}}
{{cite book|editor-last=Irvine|editor-first=James M.|title=The Orkneys and Schetland in Blaeu's Atlas Novus of 1654|publisher=James M. Irvine|location=Ashtead|isbn=0-9544571-2-9|date=2006}}
{{Cite book

|author-last=John of Fordun

|author-link=John of Fordun

|editor-last=Skene

|editor-first=William Forbes

|translator-last=Skene

|translator-first=Felix James Henry

|editor-link=William Forbes Skene

|year=1872

|volume=IV

|title=John of Fordun's Chronicle of the Scottish Nation

|publisher=Edmonston and Douglas

|publication-date=1872

|location=Edinburgh

|url=https://archive.org/details/johnoffordunschr00fordrich

|access-date=2024-02-11

}}

{{cite book|editor-last=Omand|editor-first=Donald|last = Hewitson|first =Jim|chapter=The North Isles|year=2003|title=The Orkney Book|location=Edinburgh|publisher=Birlinn|isbn=1-84158-254-9}}

External links

[http://www.charles-tait.co.uk/library/orkney/northisles/eynhallow/ Photographs of the island]

Category:Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Orkney

Category:Uninhabited islands of Orkney

Category:Former populated places in Scotland

Category:Bird sanctuaries