Auskerry facts for kids
| Norse name | Austrsker |
|---|---|
| Meaning of name | east skerry |
| OS grid reference | HY675165 |
| Coordinates | 59°01′56″N 2°34′11″W / 59.032267°N 2.569761°W |
| Physical geography | |
| Island group | Orkney |
| Area | 85 hectares (0.33 sq mi) |
| Area rank | 157= |
| Highest elevation | 18 metres (59 ft) |
| Administration | |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Country | Scotland |
| Council area | Orkney Islands |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 4 |
| Population density | 4.7 people/km2 |
 |
|
Auskerry (which means "east skerry" in Old Norse) is a small island in the Orkney Islands of Scotland. It is located in the North Sea, south of another island called Stronsay. Auskerry is known for its lighthouse, which was finished in 1866.
What is Auskerry Like?
Auskerry is a small, flat island made of red sandstone. It is about 3 miles (5 kilometers) south of Stronsay. Long ago, people lived here, as shown by an old standing stone and the remains of a medieval chapel.
After the lighthouse became automatic in the 1960s, no one lived on the island for a while. In the past, it was a popular place for hunting seals.
For the last 30 years, a family has lived on Auskerry. They raise a special kind of sheep called North Ronaldsay sheep, which are quite rare. The island gets most of its electricity from three small wind turbines and four solar panels.
The family's home used to be a simple stone building called a bothy (a basic shelter). But it has been expanded and updated. Now it is a modern house with four bedrooms, a kitchen, a shower room, and a living room. Mail is delivered to the island once a month by a fishing boat from Stronsay.
The Auskerry Lighthouse
The Auskerry Lighthouse helps guide ships safely through the northern entrance to the Stronsay Firth. It was built in 1866 by two engineers, David and Thomas Stevenson.
The lighthouse is connected to two small apartments. The bottom apartment is used all year as a storage area. The top apartment is mainly used during the summer months.
In 1926, a large Norwegian cargo ship called the Hastings County crashed on the northwest side of Auskerry. This happened during thick fog. The ship broke in half, and parts of it are still spread across the area, with the engine visible on the beach.
Wildlife on Auskerry
Auskerry is a very important place for birds. It is a special protected area because many Arctic terns and storm petrels come here to nest. About 4.2% of all the storm petrels that breed in Great Britain make their nests on Auskerry.
See also
In Spanish: Auskerry para niños
