Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
lent coffee shop here. It's on the left half a mile after crossing to Burray, coming from
Kirkwall.
Sleeping & Eating
Sands Hotel££
(
01856-731298;
www.thesandshotel.co.uk
;
s/d/ste £90/115/165; )
This is a spiffy,
refurbished 19th-century herring station, right on the pier in Burray village. Very modern
rooms have stylish furnishings, and all have great water views. Families and groups
should consider a suite: two-level self-contained flats that sleep four and have a kitchen.
There's a good restaurant with a genteel nautical feel.
HOTEL
SOUTH RONALDSAY
POP 850
South Ronaldsay's main village, pristine St Margaret's Hope was named after the Maid of
Norway, who died here in 1290 on the way from her homeland to marry Edward II of
England (strictly a political affair: Margaret was only seven years old). The ferry from
Gills Bay on mainland Scotland docks here, while the passenger ferry from John O'Groats
lands at Burwick, at the island's southern tip.
Sights & Activities
Tomb of the Eagles
(
01865-831339;
www.tomboftheeagles.co.uk
; Liddel; adult/child £6.80/2;
9.30am-5.30pm Apr-Oct, 10am-noon Mar, by arrangement Nov-Feb)
Near Burwick, this
is the result of a local farmer finding two significant archaeological sites on his land. The
first is a Bronze Age stone building with a firepit, indoor well, and plenty of seating; a
communal cooking site or the original Orkney pub? Beyond, in a spectacular clifftop posi-
tion, the Neolithic tomb (wheel yourself in prone on a trolley) is an elaborate stone con-
struction which held the remains of up to 340 people who died some five millennia ago.
Before you head out to the sites, an excellent personal explanation is given to you at the
visitor centre; you meet a few spooky skulls and can handle some of the artefacts found.
It's about a mile's airy walk to the tomb from the centre.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE
Banks Chambered Tomb
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE
