Eynhallow Church

Little is known about the history of Eynhallow Church. It may have been part of a monastery, possibly of the Benedictine order. It has been determined that the church was built in the 12th century. Eyin-Helha is Old Norse for Holy Isle. Eynhallow is considered to be an important site in Norse folklore. It is said to be the home of the Finfolk, a mysterious tribe of mythical shapeshifters. The island was described in the Orkneyinga Saga, an anonymous narrative of the history of the Orkney and Shetland islands. The story is told of Olaf, the foster son of Svein Asleifarson and ward of Kolbein Hruga, who was kidnapped from Eynhallow in 1155. Olaf was most likely a student at the monastery at…

The ruins of Eynhallow church are situated on a slope in southwestern Eynhallow, in Orkney, Scotland. The island lies between Rousay and Mainland, Orkney. The site consists of a roofless 12th-century church, measuring 21 m by 7 m across. The church was later modified and was used as a residential dwelling, beginning in the 16th century. To the southwest of the church is the site of a 16th-century settlement. The settlement contains the remains of at least four adjoining houses. These houses may have built upon earlier structures, possibly buildings connected with the church. The settlement is approximately 30 m by 30 m in size. Eynhallow is normally accessible by private boat from Rousay or…