The island is fertile and fairly densely populated, with crofting taking second place to fishing as the main local industries.

Sailing dinghies and Shetland model boats are popular, with an annual Whalsay Regatta, usually taking place in the last week of July.

In recent times, the popularity of sailing has declined, with the number of participating boats decreasing with each passing year.

Attractions on the island include the Neolithic ruin of Benie Hoose[9] and the settlement of Sudheim where Hugh MacDiarmid[5][8] lived in the 1930s and early 1940s.

Grieve House is now one of Shetland Amenity Trust's Böds which offers economic, self-catering accommodation in a traditional building.

Scotland's great poet Hugh MacDiarmid (Christopher Grieve) lived for nine years in this croft house, where he wrote some of his best work.