Eday

For other uses, see Eday (disambiguation).

Eday

Iadaigh (Gaelic) Aidee (Scots)
One of Eday's beaches, with sea caves adjacent to the southern end of Calf Sound
Location
Eday Eday shown within Orkney
OS grid reference	HY560338
Coordinates	59.172°N 2.783°W / 59.172; -2.783
Name
Name meaning	Old Norse for "isthmus island"
Old Norse name	Eiðøy
Physical geography
Island group	Orkney
Area	2,745 ha (6,780 acres)
Area rank	31
Highest elevation	Ward Hill 101 m (331 ft)
Administration
Council area	Orkney Islands
Country	Scotland
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Demographics
Population	102
Population rank	45
Population density	3.7 people/km2
Largest settlement	Backaland
References
Calf of Eday Lighthouse Calf Sound
Lighthouse on Calf Sound, Eday. The land on the upper right of the picture is the northern tip of the Calf of Eday.
Coordinates	59.236906°N 2.763399°W / 59.236906; -2.763399
Constructed	1909 (first)
Foundation	concrete base
Construction	aluminium tower
Automated	2002
Height	9 m (30 ft)
Shape	octagonal prism tower with balcony and lantern
Markings	white tower and lantern
Power source	solar power
Operator	Northern Lighthouse Board
First lit	2002 (current)
Focal height	9 m (30 ft)
Range	8 nmi (15 km; 9.2 mi) (white), 6 nmi (11 km; 6.9 mi) (red, green)
Characteristic	Fl (3) WRG 10 s

Eday (/ˈiːdiː/, Scots: Aidee) is one of the islands of Orkney, which are located to the north of the Scottish mainland. One of the North Isles, Eday is about 24 kilometres (13 nautical miles) from the Orkney Mainland. With an area of 27 km² (10 sq mi), it is the ninth-largest island of the archipelago. The bedrock of the island is Old Red Sandstone, which is exposed along the sea-cliffs.

There are various well-preserved Neolithic tombs, as well as evidence of Bronze Age settlement and the remains of a Norse-era castle. During the period of Scottish rule the substantial property of Carrick House was developed at Calfsound, which became a burgh for a short period. During the British era many agricultural improvements were introduced, although there has been a substantial decline in the population since the mid-nineteenth century. In the twenty-first century the Eday Partnership has had success in promoting the island's economy. Local placenames reflect the diverse linguistic heritage and the landscapes of the island and its surrounding seas attract abundant wildlife.