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Island of Eday

© Sharma Krauskopf

Stone of Setter

Eday takes its name from the Old Norse Eid-ey or isthmus island. Most of Eday is of an eponymous type exceptional red and yellow sandstone. Much of the fine yellow sandstone used to build St Magnus Cathedral came from Eday. The ridge of hills running down the spine of Eday is covered with peat so it has more peat than other Northern isles. It is roughly central to the North Isles.

Near the start of the 17th century the youthful John Stewart, second son of the Earl of Orkney was accused of poisoning his brother Patrick. John was acquitted and created Earl of Carrick and in 1632 granted the island of Eday. He build Carrick House in the pleasant Bay of Carrick overlooking Calf sound. 1633 can still be seen inscribed over the courtyard gateway.

The island is probably best know for the capture of the 18th century pirate John Gow. Gow, who was a Caithness man, was second mate of a vessel called the 'George'. In 1724, while standing off the Barbary coast, the crew mutinied and the captain of the vessel was killed. Gow took command, renamed the ship the 'Revenge', and set out on a somewhat unsuccessful career of piracy. After intercepting several cargo ships and finding no riches, Gow sailed to Orkney and anchored off Stromness where he tried, again unsuccessfully, to rob Cairston House. After this, Gow fled round the coast to the North Isles where the 'Revenge' got caught in a tidal race and went aground on the Calf of Eday. James Fea and his men captured Gow who was finally hanged in London along with seven of his crew, in 1729. Gow's ship's bell can still be seen at Carrrick House.

The island has many burial tombs, principally Huntersquoy and Vinquoywhich has been restored and consists of four side chambers. At Braeside also there are the remains of a stalled cairn. It is thought that each of these tombs belonged to a small community and served as burial places. On the Calf of Eday there are traces of field boundaries, tombs and prehistoric houses thought to be one of the most important prehistoric sites in the British isles. The ruins of two 17th century saltworks can also be found on the island.

One of the finest prehistoric standing stones in Orkney is the Stone of Setter. It stands over 15ft high and is situated at a focal point in the island.

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