Hascosay
| Hascosay | |
 House on Hascosay, with the hills of Fetlar beyond | |
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| Location | |
| Location: | 60°37’0"N, -0°58’60"W |
| Grid reference: | HU556930 |
| Area: | 680 acres |
| Highest point: | 98 feet |
| Data | |
| Population: | 0 |
Hascosay is a small island lying between Yell and Fetlar in Shetland. It is 680 acres; about a square mile.
The island's rock is coarse micaceous gneiss.[1] It has several pools, but the fresh water in them is frequently contaminated by salt spray.
History
The population of the island was 42 in 1841, but had shrunk to thirteen within a decade. A mere twenty years later, the island was uninhabited. The laird, Arthur Nicholson, who had bought it had "cleared" parts of Fetlar, and it is possible that the islanders removed themselves in anticipation of a possible future forcible eviction by this landowner.[1]
Wildlife
The island is designated as a Special Area of Conservation on account of its largely undisturbed blanket bog habitat. It is also home to a population of otters.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Haswell-Smith, Hamish (2004). The Scottish Islands. Edinburgh: Canongate. ISBN 1841954543.
| Islands of Shetland |
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Inhabited islands: |