| Fidra | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
  Fidra
|
|
| Fidra shown within Scotland | |
| OS grid reference | NT512869 |
| Names | |
| Gaelic name | Fiodra |
| Norse name | Fiðrey |
| Meaning of name | Feathery island |
| Area and summit | |
| Area | c.10ha |
| Highest elevation | c.20 m |
| Population | |
| Population (2001) | 0 |
| Groupings | |
| Island group | Islands of the Forth |
| Local Authority | East Lothian |
  |
|
| References | [1][2][3] |
| If shown, area and population ranks are for all Scottish islands and all inhabited Scottish islands respectively. | |
Fidra (archaically Fidrey[4]) is an uninhabited island in the Firth of Forth, 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) north-west of North Berwick, on the east coast of Scotland.
Contents |
Geography
Like the other islands near North Berwick, Fidra is the result of volcanic activity around 335 million years ago. Fidra consists of three sections; a hill at one end with the lighthouse on it; a low lying section in the middle, effectively an isthmus; and a rocky stack at the other end.[5]
History
Its name is believed to be Old Norse in origin, referring to the large number of bird feathers found there. Like the nearby Bass Rock, it has a substantial seabird population, and is now an RSPB reserve. The village of Gullane lies to the south-west, and the nature reserve of Yellowcraigs and village of Dirleton, to which parish Fidra belongs,[6] are to the south. Remotely-operated cameras on the island send live pictures to the watching visitors at the Scottish Seabird Centre in North Berwick.[7]
Upon the island are ruins of an old chapel, or lazaretto for the sick, which was dedicated in 1165 to St. Nicholas.[6] In the 12th century, the island formed part of the barony of Dirleton, which was granted to the Anglo-Norman John de Vaux by King David I. The de Vaux family built a stronghold, known as Tarbet Castle, on the island, but in 1220, William de Vaux gifted Fidra to the monks of Dryburgh Abbey, in the Borders. His successor built Dirleton Castle, on the mainland, as a replacement dwelling.[8]
Lighthouse
The lighthouse, which was built in 1885 and automated in 1970, can be accessed via a primitive jetty on the east of the island.[2] The light flashes 4 times every 30 seconds.[9]
Cultural references
It is said that Robert Louis Stevenson based his map of Treasure Island on the shape of Fidra. He often visited the beaches at the area known today as Yellowcraigs. (This claim is also made by The island of Unst in Shetland.) He also mentioned it in his novel Catriona[5] Fidra Books is a publishing house, named after the island, and which uses it as part of its logo.[10] The progressive rock band Marillion also briefly mention Fidra in the song, Warm Wet Circles, where it says "She nervously undressed in the dancing beams of the Fidra Lighthouse",[11] because apparently the coast nearby is a courting spot.[citation needed]
Footnotes
- ^ 2001 UK Census per List of islands of Scotland
- ^ a b Haswell-Smith, Hamish (2004). The Scottish Islands. Edinburgh: Canongate. ISBN 1841954543.
- ^ Ordnance Survey
- ^ Lewis, Samuel (1846). "Faifley - Fifeshire". A Topographical. http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=43439&strquery=fidrey#s30. Retrieved 2008-06-18.
- ^ a b "Fidra". Gazetteer for Scotland. http://www.geo.ed.ac.uk/scotgaz/features/featurefirst1599.html. Retrieved 2008-06-18.
- ^ a b Martine, John (1890) Fourteen Parishes of the County of Haddington, Edinburgh, p.50-51
- ^ Fidra Web Cam Scottish Seabird Centre. Retrieved on 18 June 2008.
- ^ Tabraham, Chris (2007) Dirleton Castle 2nd edition. Historic Scotland. ISBN 1904966418 pp.21-22
- ^ Reeds Small Craft Almanac, London, Adlard Coles Nautical, 2007
- ^ "Fidra Books". http://www.fidrabooks.co.uk/. Retrieved 2008-06-18.
- ^ Schipper, Jeroen (ed.) (1992-1997). "What is the Fidra Lighthouse?". Marillion Frequently Asked Questions. http://www.faqs.org/faqs/music/marillion-faq/part1/section-36.html. Retrieved 2008-06-18.
External links
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