Egilsay

Egilsay (, ) is one of the Orkney Islands in Scotland, lying east of Rousay. The anglicized name of Eagleshay was used in past centuries. The island is largely farmland and is known for St Magnus Church, dedicated or re-dedicated to Saint Magnus, who was killed on the island in 1117 by an axe blow to the head. For hundreds of years the story of St Magnus, part of the Orkneyinga saga, was considered just a legend until a skull with a large crack in it, such as it had been stricken by an axe, was found in the walls of St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall.

Key facts

Scottish island.Image: St Magnus Church.jpg
Scottish island.ImageCaption: Egilsay from Rousay with St Magnus Church on the skyline
Scottish island.location_map: Scotland Orkney
Scottish island.caption: Egilsay shown within Orkney
Scottish island.GridReference: HY470301
Scottish island.celtic name: ?Eaglais (see meaning)
Scottish island.scots name: Egilsay
Scottish island.norse name: Egilsey
Scottish island.meaning of name: Disputed – either Norse "Egil's island" or Norse "ey" + Celtic "eaglais" – "Church island"
Scottish island.area rank: 67
Scottish island.Population: 17
Scottish island.population density: 2.6/km2
Scottish island.population rank: 62=
Scottish island.main settlement: Skaill
Scottish island.island group: Orkney Islands
Scottish island.local authority: Orkney
Scottish island.references: www.aroundrousay.co.uk/egilsay.shtml

via Wikipedia infobox

Wikidata facts

Population: 26
Area: 650
Elevation: 35
Image: St. Magnus Church Egilsay.jpg
Width: 2
Length: 4

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Commons category: Egilsay, Orkney Islands

Sources (3)

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Article

5 sections

Contents

Etymology
Present day
See also
References
External links

== Etymology == Unusually for the Northern Isles, it has been suggested that Egilsay may have a partly Gaelic name. While at first sight, 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.