Eynhallow is a small, presently uninhabited island in Eynhallow Sound, between Rousay and the Mainland of Orkney, off the north coast of mainland Scotland. It is 75 hectares (0.29 square miles) in area.
There is an unnamed skerry about 100 metres (330 feet) to the north-east of the island, separated by Fint Sound. Sheep Skerry adjoins the southern end of the island.
There is no ferry to the island, although Orkney Heritage Society organises a trip each July.[8] Otherwise, visitors have to arrange their own transport to the island by private local boat hire. Access can be problematic, as there are strong tidal surges in the surrounding strait, funnelled between Mainland and Rousay.[9]
In 1841 the island had a population of 26.[12] It has been uninhabited since the landowner clearedcrofters away in 1851. The clearing led to the discovery of the church ruins, forgotten until then.[13] The island is now a bird sanctuary.
Described as "perhaps the most mystical of the Orkney isles",[14] it has its own folklore concerning the initial finding of the island. Eynhallow was believed to be the summer residence of the shape-shiftingmer-people the Finfolk before they were driven away by a farmer from Evie, the Guidman o' Thorodale.[15][16]
Cinderella stamps
Cinderella stamp issues have been made for Eynhallow since at least 1973. They have no postal currency.[17]
Anderson, Joseph (ed.) (1873) The Orkneyinga Saga. Translated by Jón A. Hjaltalin & Gilbert Goudie. Edinburgh. Edmonston and Douglas. The Internet Archive. Retrieved 26 August 2013.
Irvine, James M., ed. (2006). The Orkneys and Schetland in Blaeu's Atlas Novus of 1654. Ashtead: James M. Irvine. ISBN0-9544571-2-9.
