Islands · Scottish Islands
Egilsay
Egilsay — island of the Orkney Islands, Scotland, UK.

Wikimedia Commons contributors — see linked file page for photographer and licence licence
Plan your visit
- Typical visit
- 4 h–12 h
- Free entry
- Dog-friendly
Getting there & planning your visit
Egilsay is an island in the Orkney Islands, and there is no nearest railway station. The postcode for sat-nav is KW17 2QD. Entry to the island is free, and accessibility details are not provided.
About
Egilsay is a island in the United Kingdom. It covers approximately 650 km². Recent population estimates put it at around 26 people. Part of Orkney Islands. Wikidata describes it as: "island of the Orkney Islands, Scotland, UK". Coordinates: 59.1500°, -2.9167°.
Photo gallery
From the Wikipedia article
Egilsay (, Scots: 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.
Excerpt from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0. See the source article linked in Sources below.
Background
Visiting
The island's population was 26 as recorded by the 2011 census a drop of almost a third since 2001 when there were 37 usual residents. During the same period, Scottish island populations as a whole grew by 4% to 103,702. By 2022 the population had declined to 17. Orkney Ferries sail from the island to Tingwall on the Orkney Mainland via Wyre and Rousay.
Sourced from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Coordinates
- 59.1500, -2.9167
- District
- Orkney Islands
- Postcode
- KW17 2QD
- Parliamentary constituency
- Orkney and Shetland
- Population
- 26
Sources
- wikidata: Q1297992 (CC0)
- wikipedia: Egilsay (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- commons: St. Magnus Church Egilsay.jpg (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Other places nearby

Laird's House (C17)
Archaeological sites · 0.4 km

St Magnus' Cenotaph
Memorials & monuments · 0.8 km

Orientation Table
Viewpoints · 1.1 km

St Magnus Church (Egilsay)
Historic churches · 1.3 km

The Hubbit (old habour)
Archaeological sites · 1.3 km

Bay of Skaill
Natural landmarks · 1.5 km

Bay of Vady
Natural landmarks · 1.7 km

Hillocks of the Graand (Chambered cairn - Neolithic)
Burial mounds & barrows · 1.8 km

Bay of Roeness
Natural landmarks · 2.4 km

Holm of Scockness
Islands · 2.7 km

Modern marker cairn - possible site of prehistoric house
Burial mounds & barrows · 3.0 km

Edge slabs from a prehistoric house
Archaeological sites · 3.0 km
Nearby
Archaeological sites · Scottish Islands
Laird's House (C17)
Laird's House (C17) — a archaeological in scotland-islands, United Kingdom.
Memorials & monuments · Scottish Islands
St Magnus' Cenotaph
St Magnus' Cenotaph — a memorial in scotland-islands, United Kingdom.
Viewpoints · Scottish Islands
Orientation Table
Orientation Table is a viewpoint in the United Kingdom.
📷 5Historic churches · Scottish Islands
St Magnus Church (Egilsay)
St Magnus Church (Egilsay) — church in Egilsay, UK.
Archaeological sites · Scottish Islands
The Hubbit (old habour)
The Hubbit (old habour) — a archaeological in scotland-islands, United Kingdom.
Natural landmarks · Scottish Islands
Bay of Skaill
Bay of Skaill — a natural feature in scotland islands.
Where to eat & stay near Egilsay
Places to stay
Campsites · Scottish Islands
Trumland Hostel & Campsite
Trumland Hostel & Campsite — a campsite in scotland islands.
Hostels · Scottish Islands
Trumland Hostel & Campsite
Trumland Hostel & Campsite — a hostel in scotland islands.
Hostels · Scottish Islands
Eday Community Youth Hostel
Eday Community Youth Hostel — a hostel in scotland islands.
Caravan parks · Scottish Islands
Caravan and Motorhome Club site
Caravan and Motorhome Club site — a caravan park in scotland islands.
Places to eat & drink
More places in this region
📷 5Islands · Scottish Islands
Bac Beag
Bac Beag — Scottish island, part of the Treshnish Isles in the Inner Hebrides.
📷 5Islands · Scottish Islands
Bac Mòr
Bac Mòr — island in Argyll and Bute, Scotland, UK, one of the Treshnish Isles.
Flagship📷 3Islands · Scottish Islands
Baleshare
Baleshare — flat tidal island in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland, UK.
Flagship📷 5Frequently asked questions
- Where is Egilsay?
- Egilsay is in the Scottish Islands, United Kingdom (postcode KW17 2QD).
- What is Egilsay?
- Egilsay — island of the Orkney Islands, Scotland, UK.
- How do I get to Egilsay?
- Drivers can use postcode KW17 2QD.
- Is Egilsay free to visit?
- Yes, Egilsay is free to enter.
- How do I get to Egilsay?
- Drivers can navigate to postcode KW17 2QD. It sits within the Orkney and Shetland parliamentary constituency.