In 1882-4, Frances Groome's Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland described Egilsay like this:
Eagleshay or Egilshay, a low-lying island of Rousay parish, Orkney, separated from the E side of Rousay island by Howa Sound, and lying 11 miles N of Kirkwall. It measures 3 miles in length from N to S, by 1½ mile in breadth, and includes a small bay of shell sand, a large tract of benty sand, burrowed by hundreds of rabbits, and a small fresh-water lake. ...
The rocks belong to the Lower Old Red sandstone, and the soil is good, but poorly cultivated. Dr Baikie of Tankerness is the proprietor. Eagleshay is notable as the place where St Magnus was murdered by his cousin Hakon about the year 1110; and at its western extremity, on the scene, it is said, of his murder, are the remains of a small ancient church of St Magnus, with a round tower at its W end, and a vaulted choir at the E. There is a public school under Rousay school-board. Pop. (1831) 228, (1851) 192, (1861) 205, (1871) 163, (1881) 158.
Egilsay through time
Egilsay is now part of Orkney Islands district. Click here for graphs and data of how Orkney Islands has changed over two centuries. For statistics about Egilsay itself, go to Units and Statistics.
GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth, History of Egilsay in Orkney Islands | Map and description, A Vision of Britain through Time.
URL: https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/place/22307
Date accessed: 23rd April 2024
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