Whalsay

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Whalsay (From Old Norse Hvals-øy, 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. The fishing fleet is composed of both pelagic and demersal vessels. 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, where a small airstrip is homed.

Skaw is also home to the "Skaw taing" which is the 18 hole golf course. This is the furthest North 18 hole golf course in the United Kingdom. There is a club house and adequate parking facilities available. Other sporting facilities on the isle are the Whalsay Leisure Centre, a snooker club and Harbison Park artificial sports field. Sailing dinghys and Shetland model boats is also popular and there is an annual Whalsay Regatta, usually taking place in the last week of July. In recent times, the popularity of sailing has declined, with the number of participating boats decreasing with each passing year. Whalsay has an amateur football club, as well as hockey and netball teams. These teams participate in Shetland leagues. Whalsay F.C.'s home ground is Harbison Park. In 2005, Whalsay F.C. took part in the Highland Amateur Cup, reaching the fourth knockout round. They beat Halkirk FC 2-0 in the 3rd round, but lost to Pentland Utd 2-1 in the 4th.

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".