There are many islands around the world that are full of mysteries.
One such island is Scotland’s Eynhallow.
It remains inaccessible for 364 days a year though it is just 500m from Orkney Island where people live.
Even with a boat, the tidal channels that run like racing rivers on either side of Eynhallow make crossing and landing difficult.
A trip organised by Orkney Heritage Society each summer is the only chance to step foot on this island.
The tiny heart-shaped island has its fair share of mysteries.
The name Eynhallow comes from Old Norse Eyin Helga meaning Holy Island.
According to legends, it was under the spell of mythical sea trows — evil Norse spirits who would make it vanish into thin air should anyone attempt to set foot on it.
Others tell fantastical stories about finfolk or mer-people.
Locals believe the island exists between worlds — both historically and geographically.
According to Prof Dan Lee of the University of Scotland, people lived in the island thousands of years ago.
However, the natives were forced to flee after plague spread in 1851.
Now the island is completely deserted.
A Norse church and post-medieval settlement can be found on the island.
It also has traces of several pre-historic sites, burial mounds and Stone Age walls — pointing to a much older history.
Despite the wealth of archaeological mystery it offers, Eynhallow’s mysteries have never been fully studied.
