Eday
Eday (/ˈiːdiː/, Scots: Aidee) is one of the islands of Orkney, which are located to the north of the Scottish mainland. One of the North Isles, Eday is about 24 kilometres (13 nautical miles) from the Orkney Mainland. With an area of 27 km2 (10 sq mi), it is the ninth-largest island of the archipelago. The bedrock of the island is Old Red Sandstone, which is exposed along the sea-cliffs.
| Scots name | Aidee |
|---|---|
| Old Norse name | Eiðøy |
| Meaning of name | Old Norse for "isthmus island" |
One of Eday's beaches, with sea caves adjacent to the southern end of Calf Sound | |
| Location | |
Eday Eday shown within Orkney | |
| OS grid reference | HY560338 |
| Coordinates | 59.172°N 2.783°W |
| Physical geography | |
| Island group | Orkney |
| Area | 2,745 ha (6,780 acres) |
| Area rank | 31 |
| Highest elevation | Ward Hill 101 m (331 ft) |
| Administration | |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Country | Scotland |
| Council area | Orkney Islands |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 130 |
| Population rank | 39 |
| Population density | 5.8 people/km2 |
| Largest settlement | Backaland |
| References | |
| Calf of Eday Lighthouse Calf Sound | |
Lighthouse on Calf Sound, Eday. The land on the upper right of the picture is the northern tip of the Calf of Eday. | |
| Coordinates | 59.236906°N 2.763399°W |
| Constructed | 1909 (first) |
| Foundation | concrete base |
| Construction | aluminium tower |
| Automated | 2002 |
| Height | 9 m (30 ft) |
| Shape | octagonal prism tower with balcony and lantern |
| Markings | white tower and lantern |
| Power source | solar power |
| Operator | Northern Lighthouse Board |
| First lit | 2002 (current) |
| Focal height | 9 m (30 ft) |
| Range | 8 nmi (15 km; 9.2 mi) (white), 6 nmi (11 km; 6.9 mi) (red, green) |
| Characteristic | Fl (3) WRG 10 s |
There are various well-preserved Neolithic tombs, as well as evidence of Bronze Age settlement and the remains of a Norse-era castle. During the period of Scottish rule the substantial property of Carrick House was developed at Calfsound, which became a burgh for a short period. During the British era many agricultural improvements were introduced, although there has been a substantial decline in the population since the mid-nineteenth century. In the twenty-first century the Eday Partnership has had success in promoting the island's economy. Local placenames reflect the diverse linguistic heritage and the landscapes of the island and its surrounding seas attract abundant wildlife.