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Eday
 Eday (ON Eid-ey, Isthmus Isle) is less fertile than the
other outer North Isles and much of it is peaty heather moorland.
Its central position means that there are excellent views
of much of Orkney from, for example, the top of the Ward
Hill, or from the Red Head.
The Stone of Setter is 4.5m high and very prominent as it
is set in open terrain overlooking Calf Sound and near the
Mill Loch, in a focal point of the landscape. The weathered
monolith is covered in lichen, which emphasises its timeworn
appearance.
Chambered cairns
 There
are many chambered cairns on the island, some in good condition
and some ruinous. Vinquoy is a Maeshowe-type cairn which
overlooks Calf Sound. This interesting structure has been
repaired and is built of large sandstone blocks. It has two
pairs of side chambers and the main chamber is over 3m high
inside.
Braeside is a small tripartite cairn whose entrance passage
directly faces the Stone of Setter, while the nearby Huntersquoy
is on two levels like Taversoe Tuick on Rousay. The upper
chamber has largely gone, but the bottom one is intact.
Carrick House was first built in 1633 and in 1725 nearby
Calf Sound was the scene of the capture by its then owner,
James Fea, of “Pirate Gow”. John Gow was the
son of a Stromness merchant, and went to sea. In 1724 he
and 5 others mutinied aboard the ship “Caroline” off
Spain, murdered the officers and proceeded to harry shipping.
Having little success they ended up in Stromness, but the
ship was recognised and they sailed to Eday, looking for
assistance from Fea, who had been at school with Gow. However
Gow and his fellow pirates were captured and he and 7 of
his crew were executed in London.
Wildlife
 The hide on the Mill Loch is a very good place from which
to observe Red-throated Divers, and other waterfowl which
nest here. Whimbrels, Hen Harrier, Merlins, Arctic Skuas
and Short-eared Owls may also be seen on the island during
the summer.
The Eday Heritage Walk takes in the most interesting sights
in the north of the island. It starts at the shop and passes
the Mill Loch, Stone of Setter, chambered cairns and Noup
Hill, from where there are fine views over the North Isles.
The Warness Walk does the same at the south end, starting
from Backaland Pier going round the southwest part of the
island. Both are signposted.
The Calf of Eday lies across Calf Sound from Eday. There
are several chambered cairns. These include a long stalled
cairn, a small two-celled tomb and two intact Bookan-type
cairns. Opposite Carrick are the remains of a 17th century
saltworks which was peat fired.
Beaches
There are also several very nice beaches - at the Bay of
Greentoft, at the Sands of Doomy and at the Sands of Mussetter.
Mill Bay and the Bay of London are especially good for
waders.
Transport
Eday can be reached daily by ferry from Kirkwall, and less
frequently, by air from Kirkwall Airport. |
