Eday history

Foundation and First Mentions

Eday is an island with a rich historical heritage, part of the Orkney archipelago in the north of the United Kingdom. The first settlements appeared here as early as the Neolithic era, evidenced by numerous archaeological finds, including chambered tombs and standing stones. The modern name has Old Norse roots: the Vikings called this place "Eið-oy," which translates as "Isthmus Island."

Key Factors of Formation

The formation of the local community and its role in the region were determined by unique natural conditions:

• Geographical Location: The island received its name due to the narrow isthmus connecting its northern and southern parts. Its location in the center of the North Isles group made it an important point on maritime routes.
• Resource Trade: Peat extraction became a key factor in the economy. Unlike neighboring islands where fuel was scarce, extensive peat bogs were located here. This turned the island into the main fuel supplier for the entire archipelago.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

The culture of early settlers was closely linked to ritual traditions, a vivid example of which is the Stone of Setter — a massive monolith rising above the landscape and serving as one of the most impressive megaliths in the region. In addition to peat exports, the early economy relied on the quarrying of red sandstone used in construction, as well as traditional farming and fishing.

Major Historical Milestones

• Approx. 3500–2000 BC — The period of creating megalithic monuments, such as the Stone of Setter, testifying to the ancient settlement of the island of Eday.
• 9th Century — Active colonization of the Orkney Islands by Vikings, who gave the island a name meaning "Isthmus Island."
• 1468 — The territory came under Scottish jurisdiction as part of the dowry of Princess Margaret of Denmark.
• 1633 — Completion of the historic Carrick House estate, which became the main residence on the island.
• 1725 — The capture of the famous pirate John Gow at Carrick House, which became one of the most striking events in local history.
• 18th Century — The flourishing of the kelp burning industry to obtain soda ash, bringing temporary economic prosperity.
• Mid-19th Century — Transformation of the island into a key supplier of peat for local industries and residents of neighboring islands in the archipelago.
• 1861 — The maximum population was recorded (947 people), after which a downward trend began.
• 1939–1945 — Use of the territory to host strategic defense facilities for the northern borders of the United Kingdom during World War II.
• 2006 — Opening of the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) test site in the Fall of Warness for testing tidal turbines.
• 2008 — Opening of the Heritage Centre in a restored church building, housing the community's archives and historical artifacts.
• 2012 — Launch of a community-owned wind turbine, the revenues from which are directed towards the support and development of the island's infrastructure.

Stages of Formation and Development

The history of the island of Eday is a journey from ancient ritual centers to an advanced hub of renewable energy. Each of the events listed below played a decisive role in shaping the modern appearance, economy, and way of life of this part of the United Kingdom.

• Neolithic Settlement. The erection of megaliths and tombs secured the territory's status as an important ritual and settlement center in the prehistoric era, laying the foundations of a cultural landscape that attracts researchers to this day.
• Founding of Carrick House (17th Century). The construction of the residence by the Earl of Carrick in 1633 created an architectural landmark and the administrative core of the island. This event marked the transition to a system of large land ownership and centralized management of the economy.
• Kelp Industry Boom (18th Century). The production of soda ash from burning seaweed (kelp) became the first powerful economic breakthrough. High demand for raw materials for the glass and soap industries led to an influx of population and temporary financial prosperity for the residents.
• Peat Specialization (19th Century). Thanks to unique natural resources, the island became the main "energy donor" of the archipelago. Large-scale extraction and export of peat for industries and home heating on neighboring islands defined the commercial profile of the local economy for decades.
• Transport Network Modernization (20th Century). The construction of an airfield, named "London Airport" (after the nearby Bay of London), and the launch of regular ferries overcame centuries of isolation, ensuring stable connections with the mainland and access to social benefits.
• Technological Transformation (21st Century). The creation of the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) test site turned the island into a global center for innovation. Testing tidal turbines attracted investment and created an image of a territory of the future, oriented towards a green economy.

Architectural Appearance and Development Features

Eday is not a traditional town with a dense street network, but an island with a crofting settlement type characteristic of the Orkney Islands. Urban development here is subject to harsh natural conditions: settlements formed near fertile lands and water sources, avoiding swampy wastelands. The planning structure has a linear-dispersed character, stretching along the main road connecting the northern and southern parts of the island. The architecture of Eday is a dialogue between ancient megaliths and utilitarian structures of recent centuries.

Main Architectural Eras and Styles

Despite its small size, the island demonstrates a clear cross-section of several historical eras captured in stone:

• Neolithic (Megalithic Architecture). The earliest "structures" on the island date back to the prehistoric period. These are monumental chambered tombs (for example, Vinquoy) and solitary menhirs, such as the majestic Stone of Setter. This style is characterized by the use of massive slabs of local sandstone without binding mortar, which ensured the preservation of the structures for millennia.
• 17th Century (Scottish Baronial Style). The architectural gem of the island is Carrick House, erected in 1633. The building represents a classic example of a Scottish Laird's (landowner's) residence. The austere facade devoid of excesses, thick walls, and small windows reflect the need for protection against winds and uninvited guests, characteristic of that era.
• 18th–19th Centuries (Vernacular Architecture). The basis of residential development consists of traditional farmhouses — crofts. These are squat stone structures, often combining living and utility rooms under one roof. Their architecture is extremely functional: orientation to the cardinal points to preserve heat and the use of flagstone for roofing.
• 20th–21st Centuries (Industrial Functionalism). The modern stage of development is expressed in technical architecture. Buildings serving the airfield and the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) are executed in a utilitarian style using modern materials resistant to the aggressive marine environment. Wind turbines have also become a significant element of the landscape, symbolizing the transition to a new, eco-friendly era of territorial development.

Historical Figures of Eday

The history of the island of Eday is rich in events, and behind many of them stand specific people — from aristocrats to adventurers, whose destinies intertwined with this corner of the United Kingdom.

• John Stewart
  Earl of Carrick, Estate Founder (17th Century)
  Brother of the notorious Earl Patrick Stewart. In 1633, he built Carrick House — the main historical building of the island, which remained the center of local authority for centuries. Through his efforts, Eday received the status of a separate barony, which contributed to the development of the region's administrative structure.
• James Fea
  Landowner, Folk Hero (18th Century)
  The owner of the Carrick House estate, famous for his courage. In 1725, he organized the capture of the pirate ship "Revenge," which ran aground off the coast of the island. Without using military force, relying only on cunning and the help of local residents, he captured the dangerous crew, becoming a legend of the Orkney Islands.
• John Gow
  Pirate (18th Century)
  Although not a native of the island, his name is forever linked to the history of Eday. His dramatic capture at Carrick House became one of the most high-profile events of that time. Gow's story inspired the writer Walter Scott to create the famous novel "The Pirate," which glorified these places in literature.
• Robert Strang
  Entrepreneur and Landowner (18th Century)
  Played a key role in the economic transformation of the island. He actively developed the kelp burning industry to obtain soda ash. This production brought the island significant income and jobs during the industrial boom, changing the social structure of the community.
• Harry Hebden
  Agricultural Reformer (19th Century)
  Owner of the estate in the Victorian era who reoriented the island's economy. He established large-scale extraction and export of peat to neighboring islands and introduced advanced methods of sheep farming. His activities largely shaped the modern landscape and economic profile of Eday.