Norse name Hildasey Area rank 146 Country Scotland Area 108 ha Lieutenancy area Shetland | OS grid reference HU355403 Sovereign state United Kingdom Highest elevation 32 m Council area Shetland Island groups British Isles, Shetland | |
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Meaning of name battle island, or island of Hilda | ||
For the Northlink ferry see MS Hildasay
Contents
Map of Hildasay, United Kingdom
Hildasay (Old Norse: Hildasey), also known as Hildisay, is an uninhabited island off the west coast of the Shetland Mainland.
Geography and geologyEdit
Hildasay has an area of 108 hectares (0.42 sq mi), and is 32 metres (105 ft) at its highest point. It consists of red-green granite (epidotic syenite) that was quarried for many years.
The south coast has two narrow inlets, Cusa Voe and Tangi Voe. "West", the larger of two lochs, has a single islet. A satellite island, Linga lies to the south east. A long line of skerries and holms lies to the north west.
HistoryEdit
The island possibly takes its name from a Norse war goddess.
Hildasay has been uninhabited since the late nineteenth century, but as late as 1891 had a population of 30. The island's former industries included curing herring and quarrying granite. The remains of a railway line leading from the quarry to the harbour can still be seen.