South Ronaldsay

South Ronaldsay

This is an island to the south of Mainland that can be reached by use of the Churchill Barriers which are four causeways that link Orkney Mainland to South Ronaldsay via Burray and Lamb Holm and Glimps Holm. The largest town on South Ronaldsay is St Margarets Hope in the north of the island and can be reached by ferry from Gills Bay which is about four miles west from John O'Groats. There is also a summer ferry service from John O'Groats to Burwick on the south coast of South Ronaldsay from the beginning of May until the ends of September. On Burray which is south from Mainland and Lamb home is the Fossil and Heritage Centre which is north of Echna Loch off the A961. It is open from the end of April until the end of September.

Tomb of the Eagles/Ibister Chambered Cairn

This cairn is estimated to have been built in 3000BC and used for about 800 years. It is made up of a rectangular stone chamber with side cells and stalls. When excavated there were a considerable number of human remains as well the talons and remains of white tailed sea eagles, which gave the name of the Tomb of Eagles to the site. There is a visitors centre on the site. Also close the site is Liddel Burnt Mound dating back to the Iron Age. The site is open from March to October and at other times by arrangement. Contact details: 01856 831339. The site is located in the southeast of the island east of the A961 towards Liddel and the site is signposted. There is a circular walk from the Visitors Centre that takes in the Bronze Age site and Tomb.

Image: Tomb of the Eagles, sleeping area and entrance © Copyright D. Gordon E. Robertson and licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence.