Animal Associations

The Norse explorers would sometimes link a smaller, associated island to its larger neighbour with an animal association. Hence the Calf of Eday (above right and below) and the Horse of Copinsay - both in the Orkney group. Calf Sound can be a particularly spectacular and dangerous stretch of water

with Grey Head evident in both above images, adjacent to Red Head on Eday. The smaller island has not been inhabited in modern times, although a chambered tomb (below) and an Iron Age House are to be found on its southern shore. Orcadians would have had a taste for the 600-acre island as its now redundant saltworks supplied the surrounding area.

Scottish Islands Explorer - also provides a taste of islands