A lifetime of Islands: Island 40

Monday 14 March 2011

Island 40 - Rousay, Orkney

If you are interested in ancient history or archaeology, then Rousay is the island for you. There are more than 100 archaeological sites on the island from every era of Orkney's history. The Westness Walk is a mile long and spans settlements from the Stone Age, through the Iron Age, Vikings, medieval and later crofts. Other notable sites include the Midhowe Broch and Cairn (Bronze and Iron Age), Knowe of Yarso Cairn (tomb), Blackhammer Cairn and Taversoe Tuick (a rare 2-storied tomb).

At Moaness is the site of a Viking graveyard, including 2 boat burials. In Wasbister Loch there are the sites of 2 Iron Age crannogs.

Rousay is the only one of the Orkney Islands to have been cleared to make way for sheep in the 19th century. This was carried out by George William Traill.

Trumland House is a Jacobean style mansion finished in 1876 and designed by the architect David Bryce but it is not open to the public, although the gardens are open in the summer. It was built by George William Traill's nephew, Sir Frederick William Traill-Burroughs. It was damaged by fire in 1985 but has been rebuilt. Trumland Wood is the only wooded area on Rousay.

There is also an RSPB moorland reserve in the middle of the island and the rare primula scotica (Scottish primrose) grows on the west coast.

Rousay can be accessed by a small vehicle ferry several times a day from Tingwall on Orkney Mainland. The same ferry also serves Egilsay and Wyre. There is one circular road that runs round the island, mainly keeping close to the coast. There is a hotel, a hostel, a B&B and a few self-catering properties. There is one shop on the island. There is a small exhibition near the ferry terminal. You have to reverse on to the ferry - not something I particularly enjoy doing!