Abandoned island you can visit just one day a year is a wildlife paradise – and the top place for seal-spotting
AN island in Scotland that was abandoned after a disease outbreak in the 19th century is only available for visits one day of the year, in summer.
Eynhallow is a small, uninhabited island located between Orkney Mainland and the island of Rousay, off the north coast of Scotland.
And an annual trip that takes place in July each year is the only way people can see it.
The island was inhabited until 1851, when the four families who lived there fled after a disease epidemic broke out.
To be sure that no one would return, the roofs of their homes were removed.
Eynhallow has an important place in Norse folklore – its name derives from the old Norse Eyin-Helga, meaning ‘Holy Isle’.
Historians believe that for many years the island was considered a place of pilgrimage.
Along with preservation of its natural beauty and the wildlife that live there, and the fact the island is too small to be worth inhabiting, this is why the island remains unpopulated today.
The annual trip to Eynhallow is organised by the Orkney Heritage Society, where visitors are accompanied by experts, guides and storytellers.
One of the stories told about the island is that it’s not always visible to human eyes and could disappear suddenly if not kept within sight.
The Orkney Heritage Society trip uses the services of the Tingwall-Rousay ferry.
Visitors can arrange their own transport to the island by hiring a boat from Rousay or Orkney Mainland.
But getting there can be difficult because of its location and the strong tides.
One of the island’s main attractions is the ruins of Eynhallow Church.
The church was originally used as a dwelling, but its true purpose was only revealed after the thatched roof was lost.
The porch walls, nave gables, and lower section of the chancel walls show traces of the original Norse kirk.
Today, the island is used for grazing sheep and is an important sanctuary for nesting birds, in particular the Arctic tern.
Orkney is one of the top destinations in the UK for seal spotting.
And Eynhallow is now a Site of Special Scientific Interest as a breeding ground for the common seal.
Other Orkney Islands worth a visit
Sanday – this is the largest of the northern Orkney islands, with miles of white sandy beaches and hidden coves.
Hoy – home to the famous Old Man of Hoy sea stack, which is one of the tallest sea stacks in the UK. You can reach Hoy by ferry from Stromness to Moaness, or by car from Houton to Lyness.
Westray – known for its beautiful beaches, puffins and shops.
Papa Westray – a small island with a vibrant artsy community, a heritage/craft center, and an annual festival. You can fly between Westray and Papa Westray on the world’s shortest scheduled flight, which takes about 90 seconds.
North Ronaldsay – home to seaweed-eating sheep.
Tickets for this year’s trip to Eynhallow were £35.
They can be purchased on Eventbrite via the Orkney Heritage Society website, although the date for next year is yet to be announced.