 View of Thieves Holm | |
| Location | |
|---|---|
  Thieves Holm Thieves Holm shown within Orkney | |
| OS grid reference | HY461147 |
| Coordinates | 59°01′N2°56′W / 59.01°N 2.93°W /59.01; -2.93 |
| Physical geography | |
| Island group | Orkney |
| Administration | |
| Council area | Orkney Islands |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
 | |
Thieves Holm is a small island inOrkney, Scotland.
Thieves Holm is due north ofMainland, Orkney at the mouth ofKirkwall Bay, between the Mainland and the isle ofShapinsay. It is at the west end of the strait between Mainland and Shapinsay, known as the String. It is south west of thetidal island ofHelliar Holm.[1]
The name is said to derive from the practice of banishing thieves and witches there. The island is uninhabited and home to a variety of wildlife includingcormorants,kittiwakes and seals.[2]
59°01′N2°56′W / 59.017°N 2.933°W /59.017; -2.933
