Hoy, Orkney

Hoy (from Old Norse Háey, meaning "high island") is an island in Orkney, Scotland, measuring 143 square kilometres (55 sq mi) – the second largest in the archipelago, after Mainland. A natural causeway, the Ayre, links the island to the smaller South Walls; the two islands are treated as one entity by the UK census.

Hoy
Old Norse nameHáey
Meaning of namehigh island

The Old Man of Hoy, at the western side of the island, seen from the south
Location
Hoy
Hoy shown within Orkney
OS grid referenceND263961
Coordinates58.83°N 3.3°W / 58.83; -3.3
Physical geography
Island groupOrkney
Area14,318 ha (55.28 sq mi)
Area rank12
Highest elevationWard Hill, 481 m (1,578 ft)
Administration
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
CountryScotland
Council areaOrkney Islands
Demographics
Population419
Population rank23
Population density2.9/km2 (7.5/sq mi)
Largest settlementLyness
References
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