Hoy

Hoy (Scand. Hoey, 'high island'), one of the Orkneys, $1\backslash frac\{1\}\{2\}$ mile SW. of Mainland or Pomona. It is $13\backslash frac\{1\}\{2\}$ miles long, 3 furlongs to $6\backslash frac\{1\}\{2\}$ miles broad, and 53 sq. m. in area. Unlike the rest of the group, Hoy rises abruptly from the sea, with stupendous cliffs that attain 1140 feet in Bracbrongh or St John's Head, and 595 in Bervy Hill; inland are Cuilags Hill (1420 feet) and the Ward Hill (1564), commanding a splendid panoramic view. The rocks represent both the Upper and the Lower Old Red Sandstone. Near the south end is the fine natural harbour of Long Hope ($5\backslash frac\{1\}\{2\}\; \backslash times\; 1\backslash frac\{1\}\{2\}$ miles). The 'Dwarfie Stone' is a sandstone block, 28 feet long, $14\backslash frac\{1\}\{2\}$ broad, $6\backslash frac\{1\}\{2\}$ high, with a chamber hollowed out of it; and the 'Old Man of Hoy' is an insulated pillar of rock, 450 feet high. Pop. (1841) 1486; (1891) 1320. See Tudor's Orkneys (1883).