North Ronaldsay is a unique little island in the most northern reaches of Orkney. Although it is only around 30 miles from mainland Orkney, it has a level of isolation to it. With only 1 ferry a week in the winter and 2 in the summer, the islanders rely on the 2 to 3 times a day Islander plane service run by Loganair. The island is around 4 miles long by 1.5 miles wide and is home to approximately 65 people. North Ronaldsay is probably best known for its rare, native seaweed-eating sheep. The sheep are a primitive breed of northern short-tails and have lived on this island for around 5,000 years. The sheep eat a diet comprised of seaweed and grass, depending on the time of year. The ewes (females) are brought in land onto fields in the spring for lambing by an ancient method of farming known as 'punding'. The mothers their lambs remain inland until at least the end of August when the majority of them are put back out onto the shore. Owners of the shore-based native sheep take part in the punds, the name coming from the dry stone pens that the sheep are contained in for shearing etc. Places of interest on the island include the Old Beacon, one of the oldest lighthouses in Scotland and the Dennis Head Lighthouse, the tallest landbased lighthouse in the UK. The Old Beacon was built because it was clear that British waters were incredibly dangerous for shipping so the British government approached Thomas Smith. Smith had an extensive knowledge of lanterns and close links with a firm of builders. With his son-in-law Robert Stevenson, Smith got to work designing 4 new lighthouses on Scotland's coast. The 70ft tower at Kirk Taing, the north-east coast of Dennis Head on North Ronaldsay, was his second lighthouse. It was built from un-treated stones found nearby and held together by burning sea shells found on the beach, to make mortar. This combination produced an incredibly strong structure which nearly 200 years of punishing elements could not break down. In 1806, the lighthouse at Start Point on Sanday was lit and the North Ronaldsay Beacon was considered redundant. However, the Swedish East India Company merchantman Svecia ran aground on the reef-dyke, leading to the commission of the 139ft marvel as seen today. The red brick lighthouse was lit in 1854 and 2 white bands were painted to act as a daymark in 1889. Finally, the lighthouse was automated on 30 March 1998. For an isolated island, it still has its own airport, pier, clinic, post office, school, community centre, shop, bird observatory, and cafe. We have a full-time nurse practitioner who can be found in the clinic during clinic hours every morning or zooming around the island to visit patients. The post office is from Tuesday to Friday. The community centre (built in the early 1980s) is situated on the School Brae, nest to the school and features a spacious craft room, a cosy meeting room and a large hall for events/sports. attached to the school is large enough for a badminton court, pool table, kitchen, and a cosy meeting room. The island shop can be found in the Bird Observatory, which is just about the first thing you see when stepping off the boat. They sell a variety of food items as well as some souvenirs. You can also get a meal (breakfast, lunch and evening meals are available), have a drink in the bar, or book an ensuite room in the guest house or stay in the hostel. The Lighthouse Cafe, is part of the lighthouse complex. They provide a delicious selection of food to eat in and bread and baked goods to take out. You can also book a stay in one of the old lighthouse keeper's cottages. Other places to stay on North Ronaldsay include a number of privately owned holiday cottages. Details here: https://www.northronaldsay.co.uk/accommodation.html
The island has two remaining kirks. The New Kirk, situated in the middle of the island next to the Health Centre houses the island's archives. . It is open all year round and admission is free. The Old Kirk, also known as the Laird's Kirk is located towards the south of the island, opposite Holland House. A number of other kirks are known to have existed on the island in earlier times.
