This most northerly part of the Orkneys islands plays a pivotal part in 's maritime history. When a Swedish East ship was wrecked off the island a great public outcry at the loss of the valuable cargo led to the proper charting of the whole coastline, and subsequently to the setting up of the Northern Lighthouse Board (NLB). The Old Beacon at the north east tip of  North Ronaldsay was one of the first four lights set up around the Scottish coast to warn shipping of hazards.  This beacon was replaced by the New Lighthouse, which lightkeepers operated from 1852 until 1998, when it was automated. 

The lighthouse dominates the low lying island, and from the top you can clearly see one of North Ronaldsay unique features – an A-listed drystone dyke that surrounds the island and retains North Ronaldsay 's unique seaweed-eating sheep on the narrow strip of beach and foreshore and off the agricultural land. During lambing season, the ewes are permitted to graze on grass inside the dyke for three to four months before being returned to the shore with their new offspring. High-quality yarn is produced in the local woollen mill from the multi-coloured fleeces of these sheep

The island is justifiably famous among ornithologists as a resting place for migrant birds with several rare types being spotted annually. The Bird Observatory is used to observe and record the migrating birds, and is of an interesting energy-efficient design.

The Broch of Burrian is part of an extensive Iron Age settlement on the shore of Strom Ness . The broch and settlement were in use until the 9th century - well into the Pictish period. When the site was excavated, a piece of flat stone inscribed with the Burrian Cross (a design popular with modern jewellers) was found along with an ogham stone and several fine bone implements.

These are just a few of the features of this fascinating island.  The small resident population plays host to visitors from all over the world, and is now deeply involved in a range of projects to attract new residents to the island and to ensure a sustainable future.

The wider challenges facing each community are similar, but the approaches to regeneration in each island are as different as the islands themselves.

North Ronaldsay Local Development Officer

Billy Muir
Chair
North Ronaldsay Trust
Hooking
North Ronaldsay
Orkney
KW17 2BE

Telephone: 01857 633257
E-mail: wtmuir@yahoo.com