Mainland, Orkney

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The Mainland is the main island of Orkney, Scotland. Both of Orkney's burghs, Kirkwall and Stromness, lie on the island, which is also the heart of Orkney's ferry and air connections.

Geography

The island is relatively densely populated and has much fertile farmland. The name Mainland is a corruption of the Old Norse 'Meginland'. Formerly the island was known as 'Hrossey' meaning 'Horse Island' in Old Norse. The island is sometimes referred to as Pomona, a name that stems from a sixteenth century mis-translation by George Buchanan (1506-1582) and which has never been used locally.

The bulk of the Mainland is west of Kirkwall. It is low-lying, but with coastal cliffs to the north and west and two sizeable lochs. This western section of the island contains numerous Neolithic and Pictish constructions. Those Neolithic constructions include the Ring of Brodgar, the cairn Maeshowe and the stone-build settlement Skara Brae.

The eastern part of the Mainland is shaped like the letter "W", the easternmost peninsula being known as Deerness. To the south, causeways called Churchill Barriers connect the island to Burray and South Ronaldsay via Lamb Holm and Glims Holm.

Parishes

• Birsay
• Evie
• Sandwick
• Harray
• Rendall
• Stromness Parish
• Parish of Firth
• Orphir
• St Ola
• Parish of St Andrews
• Holm
• Deerness

Notable places

• Grain Earth House
• Earl's Palace, Birsay
• Skara Brae

References

External links

• 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica article on Orkney Islands

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Last updated on Wednesday January 16, 2008 at 21:54:11 PST (GMT -0800)
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