| Eday |
| Location |
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| Eday shown within the Orkney Islands |
| OS grid reference |
HY560338 |
| Names |
| Norse name |
Eiðey |
| Meaning of name |
Old Norse for 'isthmus island' |
| Area and summit |
| Area |
2,745 hectares (10.6 sq mi) |
| Area rank |
31 |
| Highest elevation |
Ward Hill 101 metres (331 ft) |
| Population |
| Population |
121 |
| Population rank |
41 out of 99 |
| Main settlement |
Calfsound |
| Groupings |
| Island group |
Orkney |
| Local Authority |
Orkney Islands |
  |
| References |
[1][2][3][4][5][6] |
| If shown, area and population ranks are for all Scottish islands and all inhabited Scottish islands respectively. Population data is from 2001 census. |
Eday is one of the Orkney Islands, which are located to the north of the Scottish mainland in the United Kingdom. Eday is located in the North Isles of Orkney, and is about 15 miles (24 km) north of the main island of Orkney Mainland. With an area of 11 square miles (28 km2), Eday is the ninth largest of the Orkney Islands.
[edit] Geography and natural history
The centre of Eday is moorland covered with heather, and the island's main industries have been peat extraction and limestone quarrying. Attractions on the island include the Stone of Setter standing stone and the chambered cairns of Vinquoy, Braeside and Huntersquoy. Eday is also known for its seabirds and for Carrick house, built in 1633, where the pirate John Gow was captured.
[edit] Transport
Eday can be reached by both sea and air from the Orkney Mainland. Orkney Ferries provide ferry crossings to Backaland on Eday from Kirkwall on Orkney Mainland. The Orkney inter-island air service, operated by Loganair, connects Kirkwall Airport with Eday's London Airport.
[edit] Economy
European Marine Energy Centre Tidal power test site under construction
The European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) based at Stromness in Orkney is a new Scottish Executive-backed research facility. They have installed a wave testing system at Billia Croo on the Orkney mainland and a tidal power testing station on Eday.[7]
Eday Partnership, the local development trust is active in promoting the island's economy and has instigated numerous projects, including Eday Heritage Centre, and the purchase of a new diesel tank for the island. A community-owned wind turbine is planned. Eday's various community projects contributed £380,000 to the island's economy from 2005-7.[8]
In July 2008 the island celebrated the opening of the Eday Heritage and Visitor Centre in the restored former Baptist Church. There is a heritage display area, a permanent archive, a café and a tourist information point. The Eday Oral History Project, which records life on the island in the past, is also housed within the centre.[9]
[edit] Prominent native
Australian pioneer union leader and Australian Labor Party politician, William Spence was born on Eday in 1846. [10]
[edit] References
[edit] External links
Coordinates: 59°11′N 2°47′W / 59.183°N 2.783°W / 59.183; -2.783
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