Eday

Infobox Scottish island |

---

GridReference=HY560338
celtic name=N/A
norse name=Eiðey
meaning of name= Old Norse for 'isthmus island'
area=2,745 ha
area rank=31
highest elevation=Ward Hill 101 m
Population=121
population rank=41
main settlement=Calfsound
island group=Orkney
local authority=Orkney Islands
references= [2001 UK Census per List of islands of Scotland] [Haswell-Smith, Hamish. (2004) "The Scottish Islands". Edinburgh. Canongate.] [ [http://www.orkneyjar.com/placenames/pl-isle.htm Orkney Placenames] ] [ [http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/ Ordnance Survey] ] [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] Pedersen, Roy (January 1992) "Orkneyjar ok Katanes" (map, Inverness, Nevis Print)]

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 north of the main island of Orkney Mainland. With an area of eleven square miles, Eday is the ninth largest of the Orkney Islands.

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.

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.

Economy

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. [cite web|url=http://www.emec.org.uk/|title=EMEC|accessdate=2007-02-03] 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. ["Progress in the heart of the North Isles" (26 July 2007) Orkney Today newspaper.]

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. [ [http://www.localpeopleleading.co.uk/showart.php?articleid=6877&typeid=1 "Heritage and Visitor Centre finally opens on Eday"] Local People Leading. Retrieved 19 July 2008.]

Prominent native

Australian pioneer union leader and Australian Labor Party politician, William Spence was born on Eday in 1846.cite web
first=Coral
last=Lansbury
coauthors=Bede Nairn
title =Spence, William Guthrie (1846 - 1926)
publisher =Australian National University
work=Australian Dictionary of Biography
url =http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A060191b.htm
accessdate = 2007-05-10]

References

External links

[http://www.orkneycommunities.co.uk/eday/ Eday Partnership]