The Scottish island of Eday, located in Orkney, is experiencing a surge of interest from potential residents drawn by the availability of two new, modern rental homes priced at £550 per month. The island, which is home to just 102 people and measures eight miles long by two miles wide, is seeking to attract new inhabitants to bolster its school population and support its aging community.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Eday Partnership, aims to counter the trend of young people leaving for the mainland. Applicants are being sought from across the UK, with expressions of interest reportedly coming from as far afield as Cornwall. The BBC Orkney website, which first advertised the properties, recorded one million hits.
Local councillor Mellissa Thomson expressed her amazement at the level of interest, stating, "I never expected this reaction, but I’m delighted to see this much interest in our island. We need people and this could help."
The newly constructed houses feature solar panels, wooden paneling, open-plan kitchens, and panoramic sea views. They are advertised at a rental cost that is half the average city-center rate in major Scottish cities like Glasgow and Edinburgh.
While new arrivals are not guaranteed employment, the island has several businesses with vacancies, and many current residents hold multiple jobs. Local community groups, such as the Eday Scarfs Facebook page, which organizes island activities, are encouraging families and carers to apply.
Eday is accessible by both air and ferry services.