Hildasay

For the Northlink ferry see MS Hildasay

Hildasay
Norse name Hildasey
Meaning of name battle island, or island of Hilda
Location
Hildasay
Hildasay shown within Scotland
OS grid reference HU355403
Physical geography
Island group Shetland
Area 108 hectares (0.42 sq mi)
Area rank 146 [1]
Highest elevation 32 metres (105 ft)
Administration
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Country Scotland
Council area Shetland Islands
Demographics
Population 0
References [2][3][4][5]

Hildasay (Old Norse: Hildasey), also known as Hildisay, is an uninhabited island off the west coast of the Shetland Mainland.

The pier on Hildasay

Geography and geology

Hildasay has an area of 108 hectares (0.42 sq mi), and is 32 metres (105 ft) at its highest point. It consists of red-green granite (epidotic syenite) that was quarried for many years.[3][6]

The south coast has two narrow inlets, Cusa Voe and Tangi Voe. "West", the larger of two lochs, has a single islet. A satellite island, Linga lies to the south east. A long line of skerries and holms lies to the north west.[3]

History

The island possibly takes its name from a Norse war goddess.[6]

Hildasay has been uninhabited since the late nineteenth century, but as late as 1891 had a population of 30. The island's former industries included curing herring and quarrying granite. The remains of a railway line leading from the quarry to the harbour can still be seen.[6]

References

  1. ↑ Area and population ranks: there are c. 300 islands over 20 ha in extent and 93 permanently inhabited islands were listed in the 2011 census.
  2. ↑ 2001 UK Census per List of islands of Scotland
  3. 1 2 3 Haswell-Smith, Hamish (2004). The Scottish Islands. Edinburgh: Canongate. ISBN 978-1-84195-454-7.
  4. ↑ Ordnance Survey
  5. ↑ Anderson, Joseph (Ed.) (1893) Orkneyinga Saga. Translated by Jón A. Hjaltalin & Gilbert Goudie. Edinburgh. James Thin and Mercat Press (1990 reprint). ISBN 0-901824-25-9
  6. 1 2 3 "Overview of Hildasay". Gazetteer for Scotland. Retrieved 2007-12-15.

Coordinates: 60°8′48″N 1°21′35″W / 60.14667°N 1.35972°W / 60.14667; -1.35972


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