Hunda

Not to be confused with Huney.
Hunda
Gaelic name Unknown
Norse name Hunðey
Meaning of name Old Norse meaning 'dog island'.
Location
Hunda
Hunda shown within Scotland
OS grid reference ND437967
Physical geography
Island group Orkney
Area 100 hectares (0.39 sq mi)
Area rank 149 [1]
Highest elevation 42 metres (138 ft)
Administration
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Country Scotland
Council area Orkney Islands
Demographics
Population 0
References [2][3][4]
The causeway to Hunda, as seen from the Burray side

Hunda is an uninhabited island in the Orkney archipelago in Scotland. It is 100 hectares (0.39 sq mi) in extent and rises to 42 metres (138 ft) above sea level. It is situated in the Scapa Flow and connected to the nearby island of Burray by a causeway built in 1941 to stop passage of small surface craft as part of the boom defences,[5] and thence to the Orkney Mainland via the Churchill Barriers.[6]

The name is derived from the Old Norse for 'dog island'. The Vikings made the Orkney Islands their headquarters for their expeditions against Scotland and Norway, and the islands were under the rule of Norse earls until 1231.[7] The island is rich in bird life,[2] and contains a disused quarry. A small inlet in the northern cliffs is known as 'Sunless Geo'.

Hunda is currently used to raise sheep and goats for wool.[8]

Coordinates: 58°51′15″N 2°58′39″W / 58.85417°N 2.97750°W / 58.85417; -2.97750

See also

References

  1. ↑ Area and population ranks: there are c. 300 islands over 20 ha in extent and 93 permanently inhabited islands were listed in the 2011 census.
  2. 1 2 Haswell-Smith, Hamish (2004). The Scottish Islands. Edinburgh: Canongate. ISBN 978-1-84195-454-7.
  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. ↑ Boom defences are barriers to obstruct navigation, such as a chain or bar across a waterway.
  6. ↑ Wenham, Sheena, The South Isles in Omand, Donald (ed.) (2003) The Orkney Book. Edinburgh. Birlinn. Page 211.
  7. ↑ "Orkney Islands". Scotland Info. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  8. ↑ South Ronaldsay & Burray
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