Helliar Holm is an uninhabited island off the coast of Shapinsay in the Orkney Islands, Scotland. It is home to a 42-foot-tall (13 m) lighthouse, which was built in 1893 and automated in 1967.[3] It is a tidal island that used to be connected to Shapinsay. It is still possible to walk across from the mainland during very low tides.

Helliar Holm
The West Coast of Helliar Holm low tide on a rainy day and the wave-cut platform is exposed.
The West Coast of Helliar Holm low tide on a rainy day and the wave-cut platform is exposed.
Location
Helliar Holm is located in Orkney Islands
Helliar Holm
Helliar Holm
Helliar Holm shown within Orkney
OS grid referenceHY484153
Coordinates59°01′23″N 2°54′04″W / 59.023°N 2.901°W / 59.023; -2.901
Physical geography
Island groupOrkney
Administration
Council areaOrkney Islands
CountryScotland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Demographics
Population0
Lymphad
Helliar Holm Lighthouse Edit this at Wikidata
Saeva Ness lighthouse at the southern end of Helliar Holm
Constructed1893 Edit this on Wikidata
Constructionstone tower
Automated1967
Height42 ft (13 m) Edit this on Wikidata
Shapecylindrical tower with balcony and lantern
Markingswhite tower, black lantern, ochre trim
Power sourcesolar power Edit this on Wikidata
OperatorNorthern Lighthouse Board[2]
Heritagecategory B listed building Edit this on Wikidata
Focal height18 m (59 ft) Edit this on Wikidata
Rangewhite: 14 nautical miles (26 km; 16 mi)
red: 10 nautical miles (19 km; 12 mi) [1]
CharacteristicFl WRG 10s Edit this on Wikidata

The island also has the ruins of a broch, cairn and chapel.[4]

In the Orkneyinga Saga it is referred to as both "Hellisey" and "Eller Holm" [5] and John of Fordun refers to it as "Helene-holm"

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ Helliar Holm Light Lighthouses Explorer. Retrieved 27 May 2016
  2. ^ Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of Scotland: Orkney". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
  3. ^ "Lighthouse Explorer database". Archived from the original on 13 February 2006. Retrieved 14 August 2007.
  4. ^ Haswell-Smith, Hamish. (2004) The Scottish Islands. Edinburgh. Canongate.
  5. ^ Anderson, Joseph (Ed.) (1893) Orkneyinga Saga. Translated by Jón A. Hjaltalin & Gilbert Goudie. Edinburgh. James Thin and Mercat Press (1990 reprint). ISBN 0-901824-25-9
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59°01′23″N 02°54′05″W / 59.02306°N 2.90139°W / 59.02306; -2.90139