| The Mainland, Orkney |
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The Mainland is the main Island of Orkney , Scotland . Both of Orkney's Burgh s, Kirkwall and Stromness , lie on the island, which is also the heart of Orkney's Ferry and air connections. The island is relatively densely populated and has much fertile Farmland . The name 'The Mainland' is a corruption of the Old Norse 'Meginland'. Formerly the island was known as 'Hrossay' meaning 'Horse Island' in Old Norse. The island is sometimes called Pomona, Or Mainland Pomona , however this name has never been used by Orcadian s, and in fact stems from a seventeenth century cartographical error. The bulk of The Mainland is west of Kirkwall. It is low-lying, but with coastal Cliff s to the north and west and two sizeable Loch s. This western section of the island contains numerous Neolithic and Pictish constructions. Those Neolithic constructions include the Ring Of Brodgar and the cairn Maeshowe . The eastern part of The Mainland is shaped like the letter "W", the easternmost Peninsula being known as Deerness . To the south, Causeway s connect the island to Burray and South Ronaldsay via Lamb Holm and Glims Holm . PARISHES
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