Egilsay is one of the Orkney Islands in Scotland, lying east of Rousay. The island is largely farmland and is known for its corncrakes.
Extremely unusual 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 churc...
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Egilsay is one of the Orkney Islands in Scotland, lying east of Rousay. The island is largely farmland and is known for its corncrakes.
Extremely unusual 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.
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 and Category A listed building.
Egilsay was the place where Saint Magnus was killed in 1117. While the church is dedicated to him, the foundation may...
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