Midgarth

This article is about an island in Orkney, Scotland. For other uses, see List of islands called Linga.

Midgarth
Location
Midgarth
Midgarth shown within Scotland
OS grid reference	HY615275
Names
Norse name	Linga Holm from Lyngholm
Area and summit
Area	57 hectares (0.22 sq mi)
Area rank	187
Highest elevation	10 metres (33 ft)
Population
Population	0
Groupings
Island group	Orkney
Local Authority	Orkney Islands
References	[1][2][3][4]
If shown, area and population ranks are for all Scottish islands and all inhabited Scottish islands respectively. Population data is from 2001 census.

Midgarth, also known as the Holm of Midgarth and Linga Holm is an uninhabited Scottish island extending to approximately 57 hectares (0.22 sq mi) situated 700 metres (770 yd) west of Stronsay island in the Orkney archipelago.^[5] The name "Linga Holm" is derived from the Old Norse Lyngholm.

History

In common with many other Orkney islands, Midgarth contains numerous archaeological remains. These include pictish houses and ancient cairns.

Although it is currently uninhabited, a household of six was recorded in 1841.^[2][6]

Wildlife

It is thought to be the third largest breeding ground for the Atlantic Grey Seal in the world, and is an important nesting site for Greylag geese.

See also

• Fogou
• List of Orkney Islands

References

1. ^ 2001 UK Census per List of islands of Scotland
2. ^ ^{a b} Haswell-Smith, Hamish (2004). The Scottish Islands. Edinburgh: Canongate. ISBN 1841954543. 
3. ^ Ordnance Survey
4. ^ 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
5. ^ John Maurius Wilson, The Imperial Gazetteer of Scotland: Or, Dictionary of Scottish Topography, 1854
6. ^ FreeCEN Orkney Website

External links

• Map sources for Midgarth

Coordinates: 59°07′57″N 2°40′28″W / 59.13256°N 2.67444°W / 59.13256; -2.67444