Whalsay
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Whalsay | |
---|---|
Location | |
OS grid reference: | HU560638 |
Names | |
Gaelic name: | - |
Norse name: | Hvalsey |
Meaning of name: | Old Norse for 'whale island' |
Area and Summit | |
Area: | 1,970 ha |
Area rank (Scottish islands): | 36 |
Highest elevation: | Ward of Clett 119 m |
Population | |
Population (2001): | 1,034 |
Population rank (inhabited Scottish islands): | 14 out of 97 |
Main settlement: | Symbister |
Groupings | |
Island Group: | Shetland |
Local Authority: | Shetland Islands |
References: | [1][2][3][4] |
Whalsay (from Old Norse Hvalsey or Hvals-oy, meaning 'Whale Island')[2][5] is the sixth largest of the Shetland islands in Scotland with an area of eight sq. miles. 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,[3] 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, Marrister, 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 most northerly 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 dinghies 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[3][4] lived in the 1930s and early 1940s.
Whalsay is also known as "The Bonnie Isle".
There is little peat on the Out Skerries, so the residents have been granted rights to cut in on Whalsay.[3]
[edit] References
- ^ 2001 UK Census per List of islands of Scotland
- ^ a b 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
- ^ a b c d Haswell-Smith, Hamish. (2004) The Scottish Islands. Edinburgh. Canongate.
- ^ a b Ordnance Survey
- ^ Area guides - Whalsay Visitshetland.com. Retrieved on 10 September 2007.
[edit] External links
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