Copinsay

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Copinsay is one of the Orkney Islands in Scotland, lying off the east coast of the Orkney Mainland. The uninhabited island is an RSPB reserve, purchased in 1972 for the remaining parter who grazed the land, Copinsay is also home to a lighthousenow automated.

There is a large colony of grey seals on the island. They usually pup in November each year. Puffins can be seen during July on the adjacent holms.

Myths about the island include the story of the Copinsay Brownie.

Although copinsay today is uninhabitated, some fields are still ploughed at the behest of the RSPB, to try to encourage Corncrakes to the island, so the patch work of yesteryear is returning to the island, even though the people have not. For many generations, prior to the final inhabatants moving to the Mainland in 1958, Copinsay was full of life; the large, double storey farm house and behind it the Steading (or farm buildings) form the farm tennants, a school with a school teacher and up to 3 lighthouse keeprs' familes.

There is also and acient burial site on the island.

In the earlier part of the centary a weekly postal service provided contact with the Mainland and fortnightly shopping trip to Deerness, allowing for weather. The farm boasted working horses, cattel and sheep - all of which had to be transported on the "coo" or "cow" boat. Birds eggs provided a good supliment to the islanders diet, and men were lowered over the cliffs and a special rope, or rowed out to the Horse to bring back this addition.

Pigs were loosed in the Spring on the Horse for many years - fattening on the bird eggs - transported across the sound by boat.

Many interesting facts and accounts of life on Copinsay are still retold in the Deerness Community, with many members still remembering when the island was still home to loved ones.