Flodday facts for kids

Many small islands in Scotland are called Flodday (or similar names like Fladda or Flotta). The name 'Flodday' comes from an old Norse word, floti, which means 'raft' or 'float'. Other similar island names, like Fladda and Flotta, come from the Norse word flatr, meaning 'flat island'. So, these names often tell us something about what the islands look like or how they might have been used long ago!

Islands Called Flodday in Scotland

Outer Hebrides

The Outer Hebrides is a chain of islands off the west coast of Scotland. Many Flodday islands are found here.

Lewis and Great Bernera

• Flodaigh, Lewis: This island is in inner Loch Roag, near the Isle of Lewis. It's opposite a small village called Cairisiadar.
• Flodaigh, Outer Loch Ròg: This island is in the outer part of Loch Roag, west of Hairsgeir islet.

Harris

• Fladday: You can find this island between Scarp and Harris.

North Uist

• Flodday, Loch Maddy: This island is located in Loch Maddy.
• Flodaigh Beag (Floddaybeg): The name means "small raft island" in Gaelic. It's south-east of North Uist.
• Flodaigh Mòr (Floddaymore): This name means "big raft island" in Gaelic. It's also south-east of North Uist.

Benbecula

• Flodaigh (also called "Flodda"): This is a tidal island, which means you can sometimes walk to it at low tide. It's located north of Benbecula.

Barra

• Flodday, Sound of Barra: This island is east of Fuiay/Fuidheigh, to the north-east of Barra.
• Flodday near Vatersay: This island is about one mile west of Sandray. It's part of the Bishop's Isles, which are south of Barra.

Inner Hebrides

The Inner Hebrides are another group of islands closer to the Scottish mainland.

• Eilean Fladday: This island is on the north-west coast of Raasay, just north of Arnish.
• Fladda, Slate Islands: This small island has a lighthouse. It's south-east of Belnahua in the Slate Islands.
• Fladda, Treshnish Isles: This island is part of the Treshnish Isles.
• Staffin Island: This island is off the east coast of the Trotternish peninsula on Skye. It might have once been known as Fladdaidh.
• Fladda-chùain: This name means 'flat island of The Minch'. It's an island north of the Trotternish peninsula, Skye.

Orkney

Orkney is a group of islands north of mainland Scotland.

• Flotta: This is an island in Scapa Flow, a famous body of water in Orkney.
• Calf of Flotta: This island is also in Scapa Flow, very close to Flotta.

Shetland

Shetland is an island group even further north than Orkney.

• Flotta: This island is in Weisdale Voe.
• Fladda: This island is north of the entrance to Hamna Voe, near the island of Muckle Ossa.
• Fladda: This island is north of the Mainland in the Ramna Stacks, close to the island of Gruney.