Hascosay

Infobox Scottish island |
latitude=60.61667
longitude=-00.98333
GridReference=HU556930
celtic name=
norse name=Hafskotsey
meaning of name=
area=275 ha
area rank=91=
highest elevation=30m
Population=0
population rank=
main settlement=
island group=Shetland
local authority=Shetland Islands
references= [2001 UK Census per List of islands of Scotland] Haswell-Smith, Hamish (2004) "The Scottish Islands". Edinburgh. Canongate.] [ [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]

Hascosay (Old Norse "Hafskotsey") is a small island lying between Yell and Fetlar in the Shetland Islands, Scotland.

Geography and geology

The island's rock is coarse micaceous gneiss.

The island has several pools, but the fresh water in them is frequently contaminated by salt spray.

The area of Hascosay is just over one square mile.

History

The population of the island was 42 in 1841, but had shrunk to 13 within a decade. A mere twenty years later, the island was uninhabited. The laird, Arthur Nicholson, who had bought it had "cleared" parts of Fetlar, and it is possible that the islanders removed themselves in anticipation of a possible future forcible eviction by this landowner.

Wildlife

The island is designated as a Special Area of Conservation on account of its largely undisturbed blanket bog habitat. It is also home to a population of otters.

References