Hildasay

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

The pier on Hildasay
For the Northlink ferry, see MS Hildasay.

Hildasay
Scots nameHildasay
Old Norse nameHildasey
Meaning of namebattle island, or island of Hilda
Location
Hildasay
Hildasay shown within Scotland
OS grid referenceHU355403
Coordinates60.14°N 1.36°W / 60.14; -1.36
Physical geography
Island groupShetland
Area108 hectares (0.42 sq mi)
Area rank146 [1]
Highest elevation32 metres (105 ft)
Administration
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
CountryScotland
Council areaShetland Islands
Demographics
Population1
References[2][3][4]

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][5]

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.[5]

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.[5]

As of 2020 there was one house on the island, which was temporarily occupied by charity walker Chris Lewis and his dog Jet when movement restrictions were imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic.[6]

Notes and 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. Haswell-Smith, Hamish (2004). The Scottish Islands. Edinburgh: Canongate. ISBN 978-1-84195-454-7.
  4. 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
  5. "Hildasay". Gazetteer for Scotland. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
  6. "Former paratrooper self-isolating on 'uninhabited' Hildasay". BBC News. BBC. 20 April 2020. Retrieved 20 April 2020.


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