Hildasay

Scots name	Hildasay
Old Norse name	Hildasey
Meaning of name	battle island, or island of Hilda
Location
Hildasay Hildasay shown within Scotland
OS grid reference	HU355403
Coordinates	60°08′N 1°22′W / 60.14°N 1.36°W / 60.14; -1.36
Physical geography
Island group	Shetland
Area	108 ha (267 acres)
Area rank	146 [1]
Highest elevation	32 m (105 ft)
Administration
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Country	Scotland
Council area	Shetland Islands
Demographics
Population	1
References	[2][3][4][5]

Hildasay (Scots: Hildasay; Old Norse: Hildisey) (from the Old Norse masculine name Hildir with ey "island"),^[5] also known as Hildisay, is an uninhabited island off the west coast of the Shetland Mainland.

Geography and geology

Hildasay has an area of 108 hectares (267 acres), and is 32 metres (105 ft) in elevation at its highest point. It consists of red-green granite (epidotic syenite) that was quarried for many years.^[3][6]

The south coast has two narrow inlets, Cusa Voe and Tangi Voe. "West", the larger of two lochs, has a single islet. A satellite island, Linga lies to the south east. A long line of skerries and holms lies to the north west.^[3]

History

Hildasay has been uninhabited since the late nineteenth century, but as late as 1891 had a population of 30. The island's former industries included curing herring and quarrying granite. The remains of a railway line leading from the quarry to the harbour can still be seen.^[6]

As of 2020 there was one house on the island, which was temporarily occupied by charity walker Chris Lewis and his dog Jet when movement restrictions were imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic.^[7]