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Muckle Flugga (/ˈmʌkəl ˈflʌɡə/) is a small rocky island north of Unst in the Shetland Islands, Scotland. It is often described as the northernmost point of the British Isles,[1] but the smaller islet of Out Stack is actually further north. It used to be the northernmost inhabited island, but forfeited that accolade to Unst when Muckle Flugga Lighthouse was automated in 1995 and the last residents moved out.
Muckle Flugga and neighbouring Little Flugga take their names from the Old Norse Flugey, meaning "cliff island".[2] The larger island's name has frequently appeared on lists of unusual place-names.[3]
According to local folklore, Muckle Flugga and nearby Out Stack were formed when two giants, Herman and Saxa, fell in love with the same mermaid. They fought over her by throwing large rocks at each other, one of which became Muckle Flugga.[4] To get rid of them, the mermaid offered to marry whichever one would follow her to the North Pole. They both followed her and drowned, as neither could swim.[5]
- ^ "Northern Lighthouse Board". Retrieved 28 May 2013.
- ^ Mills, A. D. (2011). "Muckle Flugga". A Dictionary of British Place Names. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780191739446.
- ^ Parker, Quentin (2010). Welcome to Horneytown, North Carolina, Population: 15: An insider's guide to 201 of the world's weirdest and wildest places. Adams Media. pp. xi. ISBN 9781440504549.
- ^ McNeil, Robert (21 May 2023). "The legend of Muckle Flugga - and its lighthouse that's like no other …". The Herald. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
- ^ "Visit Hermaness National Nature Reserve, 2019 p. 2" (PDF). Scottish Natural Heritage. Retrieved 3 August 2020.