Information AboutEgilsay |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT EGILSAY | |
| islands in the orkney islands | |
Egilsay is one of the Orkney Islands in Scotland , lying east of Rousay . The Island is largely Farmland and is known for its Corncrake s. ST MAGNUS CHURCH Extremely unusually for the Northern Isles , it has been suggested that Egilsay may have a partly Gaelic name Anderson, Joseph (Ed.) (1893) ''Orkneyinga Saga''. Translated by Jón A. Hjaltalin & Gilbert Goudie. Edinburgh. James Thin and Mercat Press (1990 reprint). ISBN 0-901824-25-9Haswell-Smith, Hamish. (2004) The Scottish Islands. Edinburgh. Canongate.. While at first site, it appears to be Egil's island, "Egil" being a Norse personal name, the Gaelic ''eaglais'' (Celtic "eccles") meaning church, may be part of the root, as the island is dominated by a church of pre-Norse foundation. The island of Kili Holm just to the north, may represent ''cille'', a monastic cell. The church itself has a highly unusual Irish style round tower, which itself is extremely rare in Scotland, and is unique in Orkney. The building is roofless and the tower has been slightly truncated, but it is otherwise complete. It is maintained by Historic Scotland as an Ancient Monument. Egilsay was the place where Saint Magnus was killed in 1117 . While the church is dedicated to him, the foundation may be far older. TRANSPORT Orkney Ferries sail from the island to Tingwall on the Orkney Mainland via Wyre and Rousay. REFERENCES |
|
|