HOY (Norse Haey, "high island"), the second largest island of the Orkneys, county of Orkney, Scotland. Pop. 955, area 53 sq.m. It is situated 2 M. S.W. of Pomona, from which it is separated by by Sound. It is a lofty island and its shore line is much broken, Long Hope forming a good natural harbour with many landing places. Off the eastern coast lie the islands of Graemsay, Cava, Risa, Fara, Flotta and Switha, while the penin sula of South Walls, forming the southern side of the harbour of Long Hope, is almost cut off by the sea. Red sandstone cliffs, sometimes over 1,000 ft. in height, stretch for 10 to I 2 m. on the Atlantic front. The detached pillar or stack called the Old Man of Hoy (450 ft.) is a well-known landmark to sailors and a re markable example of sea denudation. The only break in this remarkable run of rocky coast is at Rackwick in the bight below the head of Rora. In the interior, Ward Hill (1,564 ft.) is the loftiest summit in either the Orkneys or Shetlands while the Cui lags reach 1,420 ft. and the Knap of Trewieglen 1,308 ft. In the valley between Ward Hill and the ridge of the Hamars to the south-east is the famous Dwarfie Stone, an enormous block of sandstone, with associations with Scandinavian folklore. Rooms have been carved out of it and there are signs of habitation.