| Old Norse name | Jala |
|---|---|
| Meaning of name | Possibly of Pictish origin or from Old Norse for 'barren' |
 | |
| Location | |
  Yell Yell shown within Shetland | |
| OS grid reference | HU492935 |
| Coordinates | 60°37′N 1°06′W / 60.62°N 1.1°W |
| Physical geography | |
| Island group | Shetland |
| Area | 21,211 ha (81.9 sq mi) |
| Area rank | 11 [1] |
| Highest elevation | Hill of Arisdale 210 m (689 ft) |
| Administration | |
| Council area | Shetland Islands |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 966[2] |
| Population rank | 15 [1] |
| Population density | 4.5 people/km2[2][3] |
| Largest settlement | Mid Yell |
 | |
| References | [3][4][5] |
Yell is one of the North Isles of Shetland, Scotland. In the 2011 census it had a usually resident population of 966. It is the second largest island in Shetland after the Mainland with an area of 82 square miles (212 km2),[3][6] and is the third most populous in the archipelago (fifteenth out of the islands in Scotland), after the Mainland and Whalsay.[3]
The island's bedrock is largely composed of Moine schist with a north–south grain, which was uplifted during the Caledonian mountain building period.[7] Peat covers two-thirds of the island to an average depth of 1.5 metres (4.9 feet).
Yell has been inhabited since the Neolithic times, and a dozen broch sites have been identified from the pre-Norse period. Norse rule lasted from the 9th to 14th centuries until Scottish control was asserted.[3] The modern economy of the island is based on crofting, fishing, transport and tourism. The island claims to be the "Otter Capital of Britain" and has a diverse bird life including breeding populations of great and Arctic skuas.[8] At times, whales and dolphins also appear off the coast.[9]
Notable buildings on the island include the 17th-century Old Haa of Brough in Burravoe, a merchant's house now converted to a museum and visitor centre.[10] There are various folk tales and modern literary references to island life.
- ^ a b Area and population ranks: there are c. 300 islands over 20 ha in extent and 93 permanently inhabited islands were listed in the 2011 census.
- ^ a b National Records of Scotland (15 August 2013). "Appendix 2: Population and households on Scotland's Inhabited Islands" (PDF). Statistical Bulletin: 2011 Census: First Results on Population and Household Estimates for Scotland Release 1C (Part Two) (PDF) (Report). SG/2013/126. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
- ^ a b c d e Haswell-Smith, Hamish (2004). The Scottish Islands. Edinburgh: Canongate. ISBN 978-1-84195-454-7.
- ^ Ordnance Survey. OS Maps Online (Map). 1:25,000. Leisure.
- ^ 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
- ^ Penrith, James & Deborah (2007) Orkney & Shetland (part of The Scottish Islands series). Richmond. Crimson Publishing.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Blackadderwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Gooders, J. (1994) Field Guide to the Birds of Britain and Ireland. London. Kingfisher. Pages 147-9
- ^ "A Guide to Scotland's Main Islands 22 July 2020". Best-of-scotland.co.uk. 22 July 2020. Archived from the original on 4 April 2021. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Keaywas invoked but never defined (see the help page).