Copinsay

An uninhabited island situated in the North Sea to the east of Mainland Orkney, Copinsay rises steeply from the west to cliffs in the east and is surrounded by skerries and reefs. It is connected to Corn Holm by a rocky saddle known as Isle Rough and extends to 73 ha (180 acres). Corn Holm in turn is linked to the smaller islets of Ward Holm and Black Holm by reefs and, to the north, Copinsay is separated by the Horse Sound from a grass-topped stack known as the Horse of Copinsay. There is a Stevenson-designed lighthouse above the cliffs on the island's eastern shore. Designated the James Fisher Memorial Island in 1972, Copinsay is an RSPB nature reserve noted for its bird life.

Use the tabs on the right of this page to see other parts of this entry