North Ronaldsay

How do I get to North Ronaldsay?    Loganair (part of the Flybe group) fly from Aberdeen, Barra, Belfast, Benbecula, Birmingham, Campbeltown, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Exeter, Glasgow, Guernsey, Inverness, Islay, Isle of Man, Jersey, Leeds/Bradford, London (Gatwick), Manchester, Manston (Kent), Newquay, Norwich, Southampton, Stornoway and Sumburgh (Shetland). Most flights are via Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen or Inverness. Or, you could travel by Northlink ferry from the ferry terminals in Aberdeen (to Kirkwall) and Scrabster (to Stromness). Alternatively, you could travel by Pentland Ferries on the Gill´s Bay to St Margert´s Hope route. Finally, John O´ Groats passenger only ferries run from John O´Groats to South Ronaldsay. From May to September, there is a direct bus route from Inverness to John O´Groats that meets with the ferry - this is known as ´The Orkney Bus´. There is a weekly Orkney Ferries sailing from Kirkwall to North Ronaldsay, on a Tuesday and a further sailing on a Friday, between May and September. Loganair operate three flights a day to North Ronaldsay, except for two on a Sunday.

How do I get around North Ronaldsay?   There is a taxi available from Garso No 1, as well as minibus hire, self-drive cars and tours. Cycles can be hired from W.T Muir.

What's worth visiting on North Ronaldsay?  The North Ronaldsay Lighthouse is the tallest land-based Lighthouse in Scotland. It was automated in 1998. The Broch of Burrian is the centre of a large Iron Age settlement, believed to have been occupied into the PIctish period. North Ronaldsay is famed as being a crossroads for migratory birds, on their way north towards Scandinavia. See 'Dart to North Ronaldsay' on the Blog page.

Where can I stay on North Ronaldsay?  The Bird Observatory offers Guest House and Hostel accommodation. There is also self-catering at Brigg, Quoybanks, The Doll's House and Dennishill. Bed and Breakfast is available at Garso Guest House.

Are there any books/DVD's about North Ronaldsay?  North Ronaldsay Doctor: The Life of an Island GP by Robin Ditchburn, Window on North Ronaldsay by Peter A. Tulloch 

Any other information on North Ronaldsay?  The sheep on North Ronaldsay live on a narrow strip of beach and foreshore and survive through eating seaweed. They are only brought inside the 13 mile stone dyke that surrounds them at Lambing time.

Other islands in Orkney: See the pages for Mainland Orkney, Eday, Egilsay, Eynhallow, Flotta, Graemsay, Hoy, Papa Westray, Rousay, Sanday, Shapinsay, Stronsay, Westray, Wyre.