Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Midhowe Cairn
he southwestern side of Rousay is home to the island's most significant and impressive
archeological remains. Approached from the east,
Midhowe Cairn
comes as something of a
surprise, due to its immense size - it's known as “the great ship of death” and measures
nearly 100ft in length - and because it's housed within a stone-walled barn with a
corrugated roof. You can't explore the roofless communal burial chamber, dating back to
3500 BC, only look down from the overhead walkway. he central corridor, 25yd long, is
partitioned with slabs of rock, with twelve compartments on each side, where the remains
of 25 people were discovered in a crouched position with their backs to the wall.
Midhowe Broch
A hundred yards beyond Midhowe Cairn is Rousay's finest archeological site,
Midhowe Broch
, whose compact layout suggests that it was originally built as a sort of
fortified family house, surrounded by ditches and ramparts. he interior of the broch,
entered through an impressive doorway, is divided into two separate rooms, each with
its own hearth, water tank and quernstone, all of which date from the final phase of
occupation around 150 AD.
15
Egilsay
Egilsay
, the largest of the low-lying islands close to the eastern shore of Rousay, makes for
an easy day-trip. he island is dominated by the ruined twelfth-century
St Magnus Church
,
with its distinctive round tower. It's possible that it was built as a shrine to Earl (later St)
Magnus, who arranged to meet his cousin Håkon here in 1117, only to be treacherously
killed on Håkon's orders by his cook, Lifolf. If the weather's fine, walk due east from the
ferry terminal to the coast, where there's a beautiful sandy bay overlooking Eday.
Wyre
Wyre
, southwest of Egilsay, opposite Rousay's ferry terminal, is another possible
day-trip. It's best known for
Cubbie Roo's Castle
, the “fine stone fort” and “really solid
stronghold” mentioned in the
Orkneyinga Saga
, and built around 1150 by local farmer
Kolbein Hruga. he outer defences have survived on three sides of the castle, which has
a central keep, up to 6ft high, with its central water tank still intact. Close by stands
the roofless twelfth-century
St Mary's Chapel
. To learn more about Cubbie Roo or any
other aspect of Wyre's history, pop into the
Wyre Heritage Centre
near the chapel.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
ROUSAY, EGILSAY AND WYRE
By ferry
Rousay makes a good day-trip from the Mainland,
with car ferries from Tingwall (5-6 daily; 30min), linked to
Kirkwall by bus (Mon-Sat 4-5 daily; 25min). Most ferries
call in at Egilsay and Wyre, but some are request journeys
and must be booked the day before (
T
01856 751360).
By bus
A bus runs every Thursday (7am-7pm; book
ahead on
T
01856 821360,
W
aroundrousay.co.uk/bus).
Minibus tours are available on demand (
T
01856
821234; £30; 5-7hr) from the ferry terminal on Rousay.
ACCOMMODATION AND EATING
ROUSAY
Accommodation and eating options on Rousay are very limited. If you're coming for the day or self-catering, bring your own
provisions, as Marion's Shop, the island's main general store, is in the northeastern corner of the island. Free wi-fi is
available throughout the island - phone the Manse (
T
01856 821229).
The Pier
T
01856 821359,
W
pierrestaurantorkney
.com.
A
simple pub,
right beside the ferry terminal, that
serves bar meals (all under £10) and Orkney beers, and
will serve up lobster or make up some fresh crab
sandwiches if you phone in advance.
May-Sept daily;
shorter hours in winter.
The
Taversoe
T
01856 821325,
W
taversoehotel
.co.uk.
Three miles west of the ferry terminal, the
Taversoe
