An etymological dictionary of the Norn language in Shetland

The Orkney Isles and Shetland, according to old Saga-accounts, were peopled from Norway in 19th century, in the days of King Harald Fairhair, at the same time as Faeroe Isles and Iceland: but from old Celtic monuments and inscriptions and from the place-names, it appears that the Orkney Isles and Shetland had an aboriginal Celtic population; while from place-names of a distinctly ancient character, it is evident that the Island had Norse is mentioned in the Sagas. The great strong tide of emigrants, setting westwards from Norway in King Harald Fairhair's time, swept out of mind all previous emigrations, and absorbed the entire attention of Saga-Writers.