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The Mainland is the largest island of
Orkney. Both of Orkney's burghs, Kirkwall and Stromness, are on this
island, which is also the heart of Orkney's transportation system,
with ferry and air connections to the other islands and to the
outside world. The island is more densely populated (75% of Orkney's
population) than the other islands and has much fertile farmland.
The name Mainland is a corruption of the Old Norse 'Meginland'.
Kirkwall lies on a narrow strip of land between West Mainland (the
major portion) and East Mainland. The island is mostly low-lying
(especially East Mainland), but with coastal cliffs to the north and
west and two sizeable lochs. Mainland contains the remnants of
numerous Neolithic, Pictish and Viking constructions. The Neolithic
constructions include two major stone circles; Standing Stones of
Stenness and the Ring of Brodgar; several cairns, most notably
Maeshowe; and a stone-built settlement Skara Brae.
With two exceptions, the other islands in the group are classified
as north or south of the Mainland. The exceptions are the remote
islets of Sule Skerry and Sule Stack, which lie 37 miles (60 km)
west of the archipelago, but officially form part of Orkney.
The North Isles
The northern group of islands is the most extensive and consists of
a large number of moderately sized islands, linked to the Mainland
by ferries. Most of the islands described as "holms" are very small.
Inhabited islands
Auskerry is south of Stronsay and has a population of 5 (2001
census). It has been designated a Special Protection Area due to its
importance as a nesting area for Arctic Tern and Storm Petrel.
Eday extends to 11 square miles (28 kmē); it is the 9th largest
island. The centre is moorland and the island's main industries have
been peat extraction and limestone quarrying. It is connected to the
Mainland by ferry (Backaland to Kirkwall) and air.
Egilsay lies east of Rousay. It is largely farmland and is known for
its corncrakes, although none have been seen for a number of years,
and for the only surviving, but roofless, round-towered church in
Orkney. It is connected indirectly with the Mainland by ferry via
Wyre and Rousay. St Magnus is said to have been executed on Egilsay.
Gairsay is inhabited by one family, who issue their own postage
stamps (permitted due to the lack of a Royal Mail service).
North Ronaldsay lies 2.5 miles (4 km) north of its nearest
neighbour, Sanday. Its climate is changeable and frequently
inclement, with the surrounding waters being stormy and treacherous.
Of significance are a bird observatory, Britain's tallest land based
lighthouse tower and an unusual dry stane dyke along the shoreline
built to keep the seaweed eating North Ronaldsay sheep off of the
arable land. It is connected to the Mainland by air and ferry.
Papa Stronsay lies north east of Stronsay. A fertile island, it was
once an important centre for herring curing, but was abandoned in
the 1970s. It is has been home to a Transalpine Redemptorist
monastery (called Golgotha monastery) since 1999.
Papa Westray, also known as Papay, has a population of 70. Of
significance are an RSPB nature reserve (terns and skuas), the Knap
of Howar (probably the oldest preserved house in northern Europe), a
12th century recently restored church (St Boniface Kirk) and other
neolithic and Viking remains. It is connected to Westray and the
Mainland by air and ferry.
Rousay is the joint 3rd largest (19 sq mi / 49 kmē) island about 2
miles (3 km) north of Orkney's Mainland. In the 2001 census, it had
a population of 212. Farming, fishing, fish-farming, craft and
tourism provide most of the income. There is one circular road round
the island, about 14 miles (23 km) long, and most arable land lies
in the few hundred yards between this and the coastline. Seals and
otters can be found as can many remains of past occupation.
Sanday is the largest of the North Isles, with a population of
approximately 500. As with most other Orkney islands, farming,
fishing and tourism are the main sources of income. Attractions
include the 5,000-year-old Quoyness chambered cairn.
Shapinsay is the 8th largest island at 12 square miles (31 kmē). It
is connected to the Mainland by ferry (Balfour to Kirkwall).
Shapinsay is known for the Iron Age Broch of Burroughston[4] and the
Dishan Tower, sea caves and cliffs, for birds including pintail,
wigeon and shovelers, and Balfour Castle.
Stronsay has a population of 343 and is the 7th largest island. Its
main village is Whitehall.
Westray has a population of 550 and is the 6th largest island. It is
connected by ferry and air to Mainland and Papa Westray.
Wyre lies south-east of Rousay and has a population of about 18.
Cubbie Roo's castle (1150) is possibly the oldest castle in
Scotland.
Others
Calf of Eday, Damsay, Eynhallow, Faray, Helliar Holm, Holm of Faray,
Holm of Huip, Holm of Papa, Holm of Scockness, Kili Holm, Linga
Holm, Muckle Green Holm, Rusk Holm, Sweyn Holm
The South Isles
The southern group of islands surrounds Scapa Flow. Hoy is the
highest of the Orkney Isles, while South Ronaldsay, Burray and Lamb
Holm are linked to the Mainland by the Churchill Barriers. The
Pentland Skerries lie further south, close to the Scottish mainland.
Inhabited islands
Hoy Lighthouse on GraemsayBurray lies to the east of Scapa Flow and
is linked by causesway to Glimps Holm and South Ronaldsay. It is
home to the Orkney Fossil Museum and has a population of 357 (2001
census).
Flotta is known for its large oil terminal and is linked by ferry to
Houton across the Scapa Flow on the Mainland, and to Lyness and
Longhope on Hoy. During the both World Wars the island was home to a
naval base.
Graemsay has a population of around 30. Birds include
oystercatchers, ringed plovers, redshank and curlew. it is linked by
ferry to Stromness on the Mainland and Moaness on Hoy.
Hoy with an area of 55 square miles (142 kmē) is the second largest
island. Significant features are the highest vertical sea-cliffs in
the UK, the Old Man of Hoy, the most northerly surviving natural
woodland in the British Isles, the most northerly Martello Towers,
the highest point in Orkney, the main naval base for Scapa Flow in
both World Wars, an unusual rock-cut tomb and an RSPB reserve (skuas
and red-throated divers)
South Ronaldsay is linked by causeway to Burray. With an area of 19
square miles (49 kmē) it is the joint third largest island. Of
significance are Boys' Ploughing Match, the Tomb of the Eagles (neolithic).
It is connected by ferry to the Scottish mainland (Burwick to John
o' Groats and St. Margaret's Hope to Gills Bay).
South Walls has a population of 120 and is sometimes considered to
be part of Hoy, to which it is linked by the Ayre. It forms the
south side of Longhope harbour.
Others
Calf of Flotta, Cava, Copinsay, Corn Holm, Fara, Glims Holm, Hunda,
Lamb Holm (home of the Italian Chapel), Rysa Little, Switha, Swona |
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Some of the above text is taken from the free online encyclopedia wikipedia.org - The accuracy of any facts cannot be confirmed. All text and pages contained in this site are the protected property of Datable Dating Service Đ Copyright 2008. Rights Reserved |
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