Kili Holm facts for kids
 Cairn on Kili Holm |
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| OS grid reference | HY475325 |
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| Coordinates | 59°10′34″N 2°55′08″W / 59.176°N 2.919°W |
| Physical geography | |
| Island group | Orkney |
| Administration | |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Country | Scotland |
| Council area | Orkney Islands |
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Kili Holm is a small tidal island located in the Orkney Islands, a group of islands off the coast of Scotland. It is connected to a nearby island called Egilsay when the tide is low, meaning you can walk between them during certain times of the day.
The name 'Kili Holm' might come from an old language called Gaelic. 'Cille' in Gaelic means 'a monk's cell,' which is a small room where a monk lived. This suggests that monks might have lived on Kili Holm a long time ago. Egilsay's name might also come from Gaelic, from the word 'eaglais' meaning 'a church.' This connection hints that Kili Holm could have been a "Papey," or an island where early Christian monks, known as papar or culdees, lived and prayed.
Today, you can find a cairn on Kili Holm. A cairn is a pile of stones built as a monument or landmark. The island is also used for grazing sheep, which means sheep roam freely and eat the grass there.
Contents
Exploring Kili Holm's Geography
Kili Holm is made up of red sandstone, a type of rock formed from sand. This gives the island its distinct color.
How Kili Holm Connects to Egilsay
Kili Holm is separated from Egilsay by a narrow stretch of water called Smithy Sound. This sound "dries out" at low tide. This means that when the ocean water goes out, the seabed becomes exposed, allowing people to walk across.
Named Areas of the Island
The different parts of Kili Holm have their own names. The north-east tip of the island is known as Point of Ridden. The north-west tip is called Point of Pitten. The western side of the island is known as Marlow.
Kili Holm's Neighbors
Kili Holm is located to the east of Rousay, another island in the Orkney group. Much further to the north, you can find the island of Westray. These islands are all part of the beautiful and historic Orkney archipelago.
