Copinsay Island, Scotland Cruises

Copinsay Island, Scotland Cruise Port

Copinsay Island is a solitary island within the Orkney Island chain that’s located in Scotland. While it once had a small population and was even the birthplace of poet Edwin Muir in 1887, it is currently uninhabited and used primarily as an avian reserve. Its companion island, The Horse of Copinsay, is smaller and is situated to the northeast of Scotland proper. While these share latitude coordinates with southern Greenland, they have a much more temperate climate than their North American neighbor due to their proximity to the Gulf Stream. Copinsay, along with a few other Orkney Islands, is a Special Protection Area under the EU while the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds farms some of the open fields despite the area being inhabited. This is done to provide ideal breeding conditions for the native birds. Other than birds, a sizable colony of grey seals also calls the island home.

• Copinsay has a single, solar-powered lighthouse that is controlled by Scotland's Northern Lighthouse Board. It has a range of 14 nautical miles, guiding sailors since 1915.
   
• In nearby inhabited Kirkwall, the Saint Magnus Cathedral is a well-preserved church made from red and yellow sandstone that dates back as far as 1137.
   
• Also in Kirkwall, the Highland Park Distillery is home to an award-winning single malt scotch that is traditionally distilled by men who dub themselves modern-age Vikings.
   
• The Pier Arts Center was established in Stromness (the Orkneys) in 1979. Along with a permanent collection of British fine art, many temporary exhibits come and go throughout the year.