Attractions and Places To See around Rousay, Egilsay, Wyre And Gairsay - Top 20

Rousay is often called the "Egypt of the North" due to its extensive archaeological treasures. You can visit the impressive Iron Age Midhowe Broch and the massive Neolithic Midhowe Chambered Cairn, which contained the remains of at least 25 people. Other notable sites include the unique two-story Taversoe Tuick chambered cairn, the Knowe of Yarso overlooking Eynhallow Sound, and the Blackhammer Cairn with its decorative stonework. The Westness Walk connects many of these ancient sites, spanning from the Neolithic to the post-medieval period. You can also learn more at the Rousay Heritage Centre.

Rousay offers stunning natural landscapes with hilly moorland and coastal paths, providing excellent walking and cycling routes. It is the hilliest Orkney island after Hoy, with peaks like Blotchnifiold offering views of neighboring islands. The island is a Site of Special Scientific Interest with notable cliff formations, wildflower colonies, and an RSPB bird reserve, providing habitats for moorland birds, seabirds, grey seals, and European otters. Muckle Water is the largest of several freshwater lochs, popular with trout-fishers. Rousay Sound and Wyre Sound are also designated Nature Conservation Marine Protected Areas due to their maerl beds.

Egilsay's primary historical attraction is the 12th-century Norse St Magnus Kirk, famous for its distinctive tall, round tower. This church marks the site where St Magnus was martyred over 900 years ago and is considered one of the finest surviving Norse churches of its kind in Scotland. A stone pillar, The Cenotaph, also marks the spot where St Magnus was killed.

Yes, Egilsay features Canquoy Beach, a beautiful pristine white sandy beach with clear blue waters, where seals and otters can often be spotted. The Onziebust RSPB Reserve on Egilsay is also excellent for wetlands and wildflowers, providing a haven for birds such as lapwing, curlew, snipe, and corncrakes, particularly around the Loch of the Graand.

Wyre has a significant Viking heritage. You can visit Cubbie Roo's Castle, built around 1145 by Viking chieftain Kolbein Hruga. It is one of the earliest and best-preserved castles in Scotland, with substantial stone walls. Nearby is St Mary's Kirk, a remarkably intact 12th-century chapel believed to have been built by Cubbie Roo or his son Bjarni. The Wyre Heritage Centre, housed in the former school, offers further insight into the island's history.

Seals are almost guaranteed to be seen at the small beach located at the Taing, on the far western tip of Wyre island.

On Gairsay, traditional accounts suggest that the ruins of a great 12th-century Viking hall lie beneath the stones of the derelict Langskaill House. This indicates the island's historical significance as a home to a high-status Norse family.

The region around Rousay, Egilsay, Wyre, and Gairsay offers various outdoor activities. You can find numerous running trails, including routes like the St Magnus Cathedral – Kirkwall Town Centre loop. There are also easy hiking options, such as the Broch of Gurness – Sands of Evie Beach loop. For cyclists, road cycling routes like the Earl's Palace, Kirkwall – St Magnus Cathedral loop are available. You can explore more routes in the Running Trails, Easy Hikes, and Road Cycling Routes guides for the area.

Yes, several attractions in the nearby Kirkwall area are considered family-friendly. These include the historic St Magnus Cathedral, the ruins of Earl's Palace, Kirkwall, and the general Kirkwall Town Centre with its pedestrian areas and harbor. These sites offer historical exploration suitable for various ages.

Visitors frequently appreciate the rich historical significance and the well-preserved nature of the sites. For instance, the St Magnus Cathedral is admired for its architecture and history, often called "The Light of the North." The Earl's Palace, Kirkwall, despite being a ruin, is recognized for its former glory as a Renaissance building. The overall historical atmosphere of Kirkwall Town Centre is also a highlight, with its historic buildings and harbor. The opportunity to explore ancient structures like the Wideford Hill Chambered Cairn, with its unique accessible interior, is also highly valued.

Yes, the region is rich in ancient burial sites. On Rousay, you can explore the Midhowe Chambered Cairn, a 5,000-year-old Neolithic tomb, and the unique Taversoe Tuick with its two-story structure. The Knowe of Yarso and Blackhammer Cairn are also significant Neolithic tombs. Near Kirkwall, the Wideford Hill Chambered Cairn is notable, offering visitors the chance to enter the 5,100-year-old grave via a ladder, with a flashlight provided on site.

Access to Rousay, Egilsay, and Wyre is typically via inter-island ferries from the Orkney Mainland. Gairsay is also accessible by ferry. It's advisable to check the ferry schedules in advance, as services can vary seasonally and be affected by weather conditions.

Yes, Rousay has an RSPB Reserve, which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, providing habitats for moorland birds and seabirds. On Egilsay, the Onziebust RSPB Reserve, particularly around the Loch of the Graand, is an excellent spot for birdwatching, with species like lapwing, curlew, snipe, and corncrakes.