Island intro
Famous as the place where Pirate John Gow was imprisoned, Eday is home to rare wildlife, dramatic peat uplands, and the tallest lone standing stone in Orkney.
Ask an Islander
What makes Eday so special? We asked locals there. Here’s what they said:
The ‘Forgotten Isle’, Eday is one of the most sparsely populated islands in Orkney and one of its best-kept secrets. It is home to rare and charismatic wildlife and dramatic peat uplands, which provide some beautiful walks.
Visit the Heritage Centre for a deep dive into the fascinating history of Eday, take a walk for spectacular views across to the surrounding islands, or discover Orkney’s tallest standing stone, The Setter Stone. At 4.5m, this is the tallest lone standing stone in Orkney.
The infamous Orkney pirate, John Gow, washed up on the island and was imprisoned at Carrick House.
Eday is an innovative island that provides the base for a test site for The European Marine Energy Centre’s innovative tidal and wave energy converters. Some of these you can see off the Falls of Warness. The island is also home to the reconstructed O-Class submarine, painstakingly made by dedicated local submarine enthusiast, Mike Illet, and on show at The Old Schoolroom.
For those who enjoy a slice of the great outdoors, the island’s Heritage Walk takes you past some of Eday’s best archaeological sites and encompasses some spectacular views. Make sure to keep your eyes to the skies and the seas while you’re out and about – look out for the island’s resident snowy owl and the occasional passing orca.
Getting Here
Regular ferries connecting Eday with Kirkwall on Mainland Orkney, as well as the islands of Sanday and Stronsay, are run by Orkney Ferries.
Loganair operates scheduled flights from Kirkwall to Eday. Flights go via other islands.
Find out more about getting to Mainland Orkney.
Explore More
Want to find out more about Eday and explore more of our amazing islands?
Download the free Scottish Islands Passport app to:
- discover your perfect island match,
- find out about the experiences each island has to offer,
- collect passport stamps for the islands you visit,
- find information on accommodation, travel and island amenities.
