Whalsay

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Whalsay (From Old Norse meaning 'Whale Island') is one of the Shetland Islands (the sixth largest at eight square miles) in Scotland, with a population of more than 1040 people. The island is fertile and fairly densely populated, with crofting taking second place to fishing as the main local industries.

The main settlement on the island is Symbister, where the fishing fleet is based and from where ferries sail to Laxo and Vidlin on the Shetland Mainland. When normal service is in operation two ferries run a tandem service between Symbister and Laxo. Departure times from the two terminals are normally around every 45 minutes according to a timetable, with the crossing taking approximately 30 minutes. The two ferries currently in service are the Hendra and the Linga. The Vidlin terminal is used when the weather causes the crossing to Laxo to become too rough. The journey between Symbister and Laxo takes around 45 minutes, but can take much longer depending on the weather and tides. The island also has an airstrip. Other main settlements include, Clate, Isbister, Sandwick, Saltness,challister, North Park and furthest north is Skaw. Skaw is home to the airstrip and the "skaw taing" which is the 18 hole golf course. This is the furthest north 18 hole golf course in the United Kingdom. Other sporting facilities include the Whalsay Leisure Centre and Harbison Park artificial sports field.

Attractions on the island include two Bronze Age houses, Benie Hoose and Yorie Biggins, and the settlement of Sodom where Hugh MacDiarmid lived in the 1930s and early 1940s.

Whalsay is also known as "The Bonnie Isle".

Coordinates: 60°20′N 0°59′W