Whalsay facts for kids
| Norse name | Hvalsøy |
|---|---|
| Meaning of name | whale island |
| OS grid reference | HU560638 |
| Coordinates | 60°20′00″N 0°59′00″W / 60.3333°N 0.983333°W |
| Physical geography | |
| Island group | Shetland |
| Area | 1,970 hectares (7.6 sq mi) |
| Area rank | 36 |
| Highest elevation | Ward of Clett 119 metres (390 ft) |
| Administration | |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Country | Scotland |
| Council area | Shetland Islands |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 1,061 |
| Population density | 53.86 people/km2 |
| Largest settlement | Symbister |
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Whalsay is one of the Shetland Islands in northern Scotland. It is the sixth largest island in this group. Its name comes from old Norse words meaning 'Whale Island'.
Contents
Geography of Whalsay
Whalsay is sometimes called "The Bonnie Isle." It is covered in peat, which is a type of soil made from decayed plants. The island is located east of the Shetland Mainland. It covers an area of about 19.7 square kilometers (7.6 square miles).
The main town on Whalsay is Symbister. This is where the island's fishing boats are based. These boats catch different types of fish, both near the surface and closer to the seabed. Other important towns on the island include Clate, Isbister, Sandwick, Saltness, Huxter, Challister, Marrister, North Park, and Skaw in the north.
The land on Whalsay is good for farming. Many people live there. While crofting (small-scale farming) is done, fishing is the most important job for the people living on the island.
Getting Around Whalsay
Ferry Services
Ferries travel from Symbister to two places on the Shetland Mainland: Laxo and Vidlin. Usually, two ferries work together on the route between Symbister and Laxo. They leave about every 35 minutes, and the trip takes around 30 minutes. The ferries currently used are named Hendra and Linga.
If the weather is too rough for the Laxo route, ferries use the Vidlin terminal instead. The journey from Symbister to Laxo usually takes about 30 minutes. However, it can take a bit longer if the weather or tides are difficult.
Whalsay Airstrip
Whalsay also has a small airstrip located at Skaw. This airstrip is only used for emergency situations.
Fun Things to Do on Whalsay
Sports and Games
Skaw is home to the most northern 18-hole golf course in the UK. It has a clubhouse and plenty of parking. Other sports places on the island include the Whalsay Leisure Centre. There is also a snooker club and Harbison Park, which has an artificial sports field.
Sailing is a popular activity on Whalsay. People enjoy sailing small boats and traditional Shetland model boats. Every year, there is a Whalsay Regatta, which is a sailing competition. It usually happens in the last week of July.
Whalsay has an amateur football club called Whalsay F.C. The island also has hockey and netball teams. These teams play in leagues against other teams in Shetland. Whalsay F.C.'s home field is Harbison Park. In 2005, Whalsay F.C. played in the Highland Amateur Cup. They won against Halkirk FC 2–0 in the third round. However, they lost to Pentland Utd 2–1 in the fourth round.
Places to Visit on Whalsay
Historical Sites
One interesting place to visit is the Neolithic ruin called Benie Hoose. This is a very old building from the Stone Age.
Another place is the settlement of Sudheim. A famous Scottish poet, Hugh MacDiarmid, lived here in the 1930s and early 1940s. He wrote some of his best poems while living in this croft house. Today, this house, called Grieve House, offers simple, affordable places to stay for visitors.
Whalsay in Books
Whalsay has been featured in some books. It is the setting for the 2011 novel Dancing with the Ferryman by Frankie Valente. The island is also the main location for Red Bones (2009) by Ann Cleeves. This book is the third in her series about the Shetland Islands.
See also
In Spanish: Whalsay para niños
