Eday

Map of Eday

EDAY (ON Eid-ey, Isthmus Isle) Formed mostly from Middle Old Red Sandstone, Eday is less fertile, and has much more peat cover than the other North Isles. The red sandstone is exposed in spectacular cliffs at the Red Head (HY570405). Eday freestone, from a quarry near Fersness (HY536336), is said to have been used in the building of St Magnus Cathedral.

London Airport

The island also has its own London Airport! This one only takes Loganair's Islander aircraft, not Boeings, and is situated near the Bay of London (ON Lund-inn, Woodland, HY564342). The name suggests that there may have been trees here in Norse times. Certainly at low ebbs the remains of trees can be seen at the Bay of Mussetter, which is just across the isthmus which gives the island its name.

Like Rousay, Eday has a hilly centre with agricultural land around the shores. Most of the cultivated land is at the south end, and in the north on the shores of Calf Sound. The island is 12km (7.5 miles) long and 3km (2 miles) wide, with a maximum height of 101m at the Ward Hill (HY552300), from which there is an excellent panoramic view of the North Isles. There are also good panoramas from Flaughton Hill (HY554320, 100m), Vinquoy Hill (HY561385, 76m) and the Red Head (HY570405, 70m). Because of its central position Eday has good views in all directions. This position was convenient in the past when much peat was exported to other peatless islands as fuel.

and much more...