Visiting and exploring South Ronaldsay

contents: welcome | using this page | five places not to miss | archaeological sites | churches, chapels and churchyards | events | military sites | mills | museums | nature | schools and halls | standing stones | viewpoints | walks

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Welcome

You don’t have to go far in South Ronaldsay to find fascinating places to visit and things to do. Below we highlight five places that, hopefully, give you a flavour of the island and insights into its history and daily life. We also list a range of sites of historic interest.

This is how the Gazetteer of Scotland summed up South Ronaldsay (and Burray) over 140 years ago:

South Ronaldsay, like the rest of Orkney, combines tradition with innovation and new technologies. Thankfully Burray and South Ronaldsay have retained two public schools and two excellent natural harbours and still present ‘a productive and well-cultivated appearance’. St Margaret’s Hope remains, at least for the moment, a ‘post-office village’. The population of the South Ronaldsay and Burray is, today, around 39% of what it was in 1882. However, it is growing. Burray’s population increased by 11% to 455 inhabitants between the 2011 and 2022 censuses and South Ronaldsay by 8% to 985. The overall rise in Orkney’s population was significantly lower – 3%.

To set the scene for your visit we have included a brief overview of the last 13,000 years of life on the island [see: A (very) brief history of Burray and South Ronaldsay].

Using this page

We have given brief details about the various destinations, and have, thus, tried to include where you can find out more.

All the places mentioned here can be seen on the Open Street Map, and you can click on them from this page.

For detailed directions to the places discussed here, right-click your chosen destination on the map, then ‘directions to here’ and enter where you are. You can choose your mode of travel – car, bike or foot. If any are missing from the map, please let us know and we will add them.

Five places you must experience in South Ronaldsay

1. Old St Mary’s Kirk, Burwick and the south

Old St Mary’s Church aka Lady Kirk in Burwick is one of the most interesting places to visit in South Ronaldsay. It is thought to be where the first Christian missionaries landed; home to the Ladykirk Stone; and has a fascinating short circular walk that takes in 13 different listening points that come alive on your mobile phone. The site of St Colm’s Chapel is just a few metres east of the church on the other side of the road. The name ‘Burwick’ probably comes from bar vík – Old Norse for ‘bay of the extremity’ and is recorded as Bardvik around 1225.

You can also add the Brough Ness circuit walk (a coastal path followed by a return along a quiet road – about 3.5 miles) or a visit to the site of the Castle of Burwick. Another option is to visit Liddle Burnt Mound (close to Isbister) and Tomb of the Eagles (sadly both are currently closed).

If you are headed north after visiting Burwick, why not stop off and visit Tomison’s Academy and the former Free Church Chapel (by the turning to Barswick). Park by the entrance to the Academy (click for map).

2. Kirkhouse – St Peter’s, the standing stones, and the beach and sea

If you arrive at Kirkhouse in a car or on a bike, park in the car park at the bottom of the hill by the church.

Visit St Peter’s Church and graveyard.

Then go through the gate to see Kirkhouse Point and the ruins of the fishing station and windmill. Walk the short way to the Millenium Standing Stone. You can continue, enjoy the view, or turn around.

Walk back to the car park and then a short distance up the road to your right. The Sorquoy Standing Stone is on your right.

Alternatively (or as well) walk south along the beach from the car park. Enjoy the beach and sea at the Pool of Cletts and then walk on to Newark Bay at the other end. Another option, if you have time, is to take the southbound coastal walk from Newark Bay to Stews Standing Stone and to then retrace your steps to Kirkhouse.

3. Hoxa Head and the Sands of Wright

Visit the Sands of Wright and the site of Sant Colme in Hoxay (St Colms Chapel, Sands of Wright). The Sands are home to The Festival of the Horse and Ploughing Match: one of Orkney’s unique occasions that dates back two centuries (see events). You can walk to one end and then back to the other or whatever takes you fancy.

Sant Colm’s Chapel was, essentially, where the mound is on your right as you look to the sea.

Turn right from the Sands of Wright car park, carry along the road for a short distance and take the first turn on your right. The road turns sharply to the left – but you need to go slowly down the track to the right and park before the building on your left. Do not enter the adjacent fields as they have horses in them. There is a pathway on the left that leads up to the Little Howe of Hoxa. You can also walk down the track and turn left as you reach the bay. There is a path to the Howe of Hoxa just before you reach the house. 

Take a walk around Hoxa Head and enjoy the view across Scapa Flow. Visit the wartime watch towers and…

4. St Margaret’s Hope

Most people start in The Cromarty Square, where buses and coach tours stop. If you are in a car, with luck there will be a free parking space, otherwise it is a case of street parking or heading up to the Church Road car park (click for map). There are toilets at the other end of the square (next to the Smiddy Museum which is also well worth a visit!) From the corner by the anchor, you can view the bay, harbour, surrounding countryside and village.

Dotted around the village are plaques with QR codes. Via them you can then use your phone to listen to local people talking about the history of the village. View a map of the tour at the entrance to the Marengo Community Garden (click for map).

Insert map

It is well worth starting your exploration of the village in Front Road (which begins by the slipway next to the anchor). This was the heart of the village in its heyday as a fishing port. The bank, post office and a significant number of shops were here, as well as slipways for boats, sheds and warehouses. The two cottages by the slipway were, in fact, originally warehouses. The first shop is the Workshop and Gallery (a craft co-op in which all the founding members of Hope CoHousing were involved). Previously, the shop had been a clothiers and drapers.

If you look at the bay from the car park opposite the Bellevue Inn, to your right you will see three further slipways. Walk along the street until you come to a second parking area by Garleton Cottage, turn right and walk up the steps. This will take you to the Marengo Community Garden. Established and maintained by local people, the garden is well-used. The map of the ‘Listening Walk’ is by the front entrance on Marengo Road.

From here it is worth turning right onto the road and then left onto Church Road. Before starting uphill – look back down the road to the bay. At the bottom on the left is the Gospel Hall. Up the hill, we find Doull’s Store. Opposite it is Robertson’s Coffee House and Bar. Further up the hill is St Margaret’s Kirk.

You can return to the Cromarty Square by walking back down the hill and turning left just past Doulls. This takes you down Back Road. It goes past another product of community-led activity: the children’s play area. Returning to the square, you will find further examples of community-led activity – The Cromarty Hall and The Smiddy Museum. A few metres along St. Margaret’s Road are three more examples: the golf course, the bowling green and the tennis court.

If you walk up School Road past the Smiddy Museum, on the opposite side of the road, just before the tennis court and bowling green, you will see a track. Walk a few metres up this and look to your right. You will see a garden and shed. This is listed as the site of Sant Margrat in the Howp (St Margaret’s Chapel).

If you still have time and the energy, walk along the road to the Harbour. Take care as there is no pavement. You will see plenty of interesting sea birds, and seals at the right time of year (winter). About half-way you will find an old Bothy that has served various purposes such as housing (for around 13 people), a hospital/clinic, and storage. If you walk up the steps opposite the slipway, you will come to a  Renaissance gateway at Smiddy Banks dating from the 1600’s. The farmhouse you see was built on the site of a two-storied post-Medieval Mansion house (Canmore). You can return to the village by walking down the farm track and then picking up the road.

5. Windwick, Cairns and Olav’s Wood

Walk through Olav’s wood

In Windwick, visit the site of the dig at the Cairns (broch and settlement); and the memorial to sailors lost at sea (and site of St Andrew’s Chapel).

Take in the wonderful views from Ward Hill and/or Olad’s Summit.

Archaeological sites

On the Megalithic Portal, you can view a map showing the position of excavations in Orkney – click here.

Each site includes links to Canmore, the Open Street Map and the Megalithic Portal.

Banks Chambered Tomb aka Tomb of the Otters [currently closed] Cleat, South Ronaldsay (KW17 2RW Click for map). This Tomb appears to date from around 3340 BCE and was in use for several centuries. It is unique in Orkney as it was quarried out of solid bedrock. Only one of what looks like six chambers has been excavated (in 2010). Not far from the Tomb of the Eagles, its second name arises from the discovery of otter bones. The land east of Banks (and south of the visitor centre for the Tomb of the Eagles) was explored a year later. This revealed that there were ‘a significant number of prehistoric houses, dykes, fields, terraces etc, and some of these are elements of coherent settlements’ (Canmore). See, also The Megalithic Portal.

The Cairns, Windwick Bay, South Ronaldsay (KW17 2RN click for map). A fascinating site that has been featured on Digging for Britain [series 12, programme 3].  The current work at The Cairns began in 2006. It is exploring a large, with the investigation now focusing on excavating a substantial broch or Atlantic Roundhouse (over 21m in diameter with five different internal areas). See Cairns for more details. There are also other Iron Age and Norse period structures. See, Canmore and The Megalithic Portal. We also feature it in Places to Visit 5. [2025 Dig: This year’s season will start on Monday, June 9, 2025, and run until Friday, July 18. There will be at least one dig open day. It is scheduled for Friday, July 4.]

The Wart,  Hoxa Hill, South Ronaldsay (KW17 2TL, click for map). Close to the summit of Hoxa Hill and south east of an observatory, we find The Wart – a chambered cairn. Canmore describe it as a ’round cairn of Orkney-Cromarty type, probably with a tripartite chamber’. You can reach the cairn by walking up the track to the right of Roeberry House on the B9043 (click for map). Great views from the top. [See The Megalithic Portal]

See, also, the section on standing stones.

Churches and churchyards

South Ronaldsay | Burray | Other chapels and gospel halls

South Ronaldsay

There are a significant number of old chapels and churches dotted about the islands. Some are in ruins, others converted to housing and various other uses, and several are just memories. From around 1440, the three main churches on Burray and South Ronaldsay were linked. St. Peter’s church in the north of St Ronaldsay was united to the church of Our Lady (St Mary’s in the south) and to St Lawrence (aka St. Laurence) in Burray.

South Ronaldsay was divided by the established church into two unequally sized parishes for much of the twentieth century. St Mary’s in the south was about half the size of St Peter’s in the north. South Ronaldsay also had several smaller chapels (nine in 1647) and later a couple of mission halls and a free church. 

Old St Mary’s Church aka Lady Kirk in Burwick, South Ronaldsay (KW17 2RN, click for map. The church is  featured as our opening mage for this page). The kirk was probably established at this spot in the 11th century, however, the first record of it on a map dates from 1654. Before the opening of the Lady Kirk, there was a chapel (St Colm’s) a few hundred metres to the east dating from the ninth century or earlier (see below).

Today, the church is no longer used as a parish church. That role is played by St Margaret’s Kirk in St Margaret’s Hope (see below). However, the building has been adopted by a group of local people who recognized its continuing significance historically and as a resource for the community. Here it is worth mentioning five elements that make it one of the most interesting places to visit in Orkney (and it is free!). When open/how to gain access

First, Burwick’s coast is said to be where the earliest Christian missionaries landed in the Isles. Adomnan, the ninth abbot of Iona and the writer of Life of Columba (Vita Columbae) reports that Cormac Ua Liatháin arrived in around 580 AD. He had probably sailed around the mainland from Iona where St Columba’s monastery was based. It is said that Columba had met with King Brude – the Pictish chief ruler of the Orkney Islands – and asked that Cormac and others be protected. Cormac was later made an Irish Saint.

Second, Old St Mary’s is home to Ladykirk Stone. This is a rounded grey whin stone carved with two footprints. It was for many years outside the church but is now kept inside. There is some suggestion that it might be a Pictish coronation stone, however, there are various other stories associated with it. At one point it was called St.Magnus Boat (see The Megalithic Portal for more information). This is how George Low (1879) described it:

In Lady Kirk at Burwick saw a large stone which tra-
dition says St. Magnus used as a boat to feiry him over the Pightland Firth, and for its service laid it up in this Church, where it is still preserved. Its shape is boat-like, but that it ever served that purpose is of the complexion of many-other Monkish stoiies which in times past were greedily swallowed by the unthinking vulgar. This stone is about 4 feet long, and 2 broad, about 8 inches thick, seems to have been taken from the next sea beach where many such are still to be found ; has engraved on it the prints of a man’s feet, which probably furnished the first hint for the miraculous use of it, and may point out the true one, which there is little doubt but it was a stone appropriated to expose delinquents at the Church in times of Popery.
George Low (1879) A Tour through the Islands of Orkney and Shetland

Third, like nearly all churches and chapels in South Ronaldsay, it is situated next to the sea – but unique in that it faces the Pentland Firth. As a result, visitors look across to John O’Groats and mainland Scotland, and at the Firth itself. Known for the strength of its tidal currents, which are among the fastest in the world, it also has a range of marine wildlife on view. Its name is said to be a development of the Old Norse ‘Petlandsfjörð’ which can be translated as ‘the fjord of Pictland’.

Fourth, it offers a fascinating short circular walk that takes in 13 different listening points that come alive on your mobile phone. Subjects include the Ladystone, creels, coastguard, sheep, smallpox, the Sunday School, and the Island of Swona  – that can be seen across the Firth.

Fifth, Old St Mary’s will become the home of a large and fascinating tapestry/quilt that shows all the fields (and their local names) in the bottom half of South Ronaldsay. Currently, the tapestry is being worked on by local islanders (The Field Quilt Group)  – and will hang in the church once it is completed.

Sant Colmis / St Colm’s Chapel, at Loch of Burwick, South Ronaldsay (KW17 2RN, click for map). There were a couple of other St Colm’s chapels in South Ronaldsay (in Hoxa and Grimness). The popularity of the name derives from the fact that it is a Gaelic variation on Columba. The work of St Columba (c. 521-597) and his disciples was central to the conversion to Christianity of many living in Scotland during the sixth century. Columba was the Latin name for dove – and his Irish name Colm Cille, means ‘dove of the church’. There was a loch beyond the chapel which has now been drained.

St Peter’s Church and graveyard, Kirkhouse Road, South Ronaldsay (KW17 2TJ, click for map). The church is open to view from 11 am to 3 pm (Thursday to Sunday over the summer??)

Like St Mary’s (above), St Peter’s is no longer used as a parish church – it was the North Parish Church (and graveyard) for this part of the island. The church was built in the 17th century (there is date stone of 1642 over the door) and renovated in 1801 (and in 1967). It was likely built on the site of an older church. Like several churches in Orkney, it has a simple rectangular shape surrounded by a graveyard. It also follows St Mary’s with windows facing the sea and plain stone facing the land. The porch appears to have been added in the nineteenth century. There are several things to note about the church and its surroundings.

The church hall (now a private property) was a mile (1.7k) away on the road to and from St Margaret’s Hope (click for map).

First, the inside of the church is a bit of a treat. As British Listed Buildings notes:

The early 19th century interior is a rare survival and is remarkably complete. The communion tables running lengthwise down the centre of the church and the central box pew for the church elders are particularly worthy of note, and very few examples of either of these features now survive in Scottish churches.

This design means there is a pulpit with a sounding board on the long wall and a central communion table that stretches some distance. British Listed Buildings also records that the pews are thought to be made from driftwood. In 2006 it was upgraded from category B to A. This puts it in the same category as the Italian Chapel and St Magnus Cathedral. Category A buildings are ‘of national or international importance, either architectural or historic, or fine little-altered examples of some particular period, style or building type’.

Second, the church used to have as part of its fabric, a Pictish symbol stone. It had been used to form the sill of a window. Trimmed slightly, it was 1.52m long and 48cm wide and is sculptured on both sides. It is now in the National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland. [See Canmore for pictures etc.]

Third, close by there are several interesting buildings and things to see. These include:

• A former fishing station just to the east of the graveyard.
• The ruins of an 18th Century post mill, a few metres on.
• Two fascinating Standing Stones. The first was created for the recent Millennium and is just round the corner from the windmill. The second is a little way up the road from the church. Click for details.
• Kirk Ness Dyke and Kirk Ness Mound. These are a short walk northwards from the Millennium Stone. The dyke is within a planticrub – which is defined by Canmore as a ‘small square, circular or rectangular enclosure used for growing root crops, usually without an entrance’ (click for map). The mound is up behind the planticrub and is described in Canmore as an ‘amorphous, turf-covered, stony knoll… locally believed to cover an ancient structure.

Last, and not least, the North Sea is lapping close to your feet.

St Margaret’s Church/Kirk | South Ronaldsay & Burray Kirk, Church Road, St Margaret’s Hope (KW17 2SR – click for map).

This Kirk’s history connects with that of St Mary’s, Barswick and Burray United Succession Church. Now Church of Scotland, it was built in 1854-6 as a United Presbyterian Church and enlarged in 1870. The church then became South Ronaldsay United North United Free Church in 1900. With the coming together of the United Free Church and the Church of Scotland in 1929, it then became South Ronaldsay St Margaret’s Church of Scotland. Later, it was designated as the central church for the Parish of South Ronaldsay & Burray. With the closure of the Burray Church of Scotland building, it gained the communion table and font from St Lawrence’s Church.

Major internal changes were made to the building in 2009. These involved reducing and enhancing the space devoted to worship and expanding the communal areas at the east end. The result was additional room for children, meetings, eating, and meet-ups. One of the areas, Ben End has, in recent years, been opened as a much-needed warm space for the local community.

The Manse and church office is located on the north side of the Kirk, and there is a substantial parking area to the east.

Sant Margrat in the Howp (St Margaret’s Chapel), School Road, St Margaret’s Hope, South Ronaldsay (KW17 2TN – click for map).

This area was excavated in the 1970s, and no evidence of the Medieval chapel thought to have been established on its site in the 13th Century was found. What the dig did reveal was evidence of foundations for an agricultural stone building dating from the mid-eighteenth century (Canmore). As we have seen elsewhere, this doesn’t mean that the Chapel was not here.

Burray

St Lawrence’s Church, Ness Road, Southtown, Burray (KW17 2TA click for map). Also known as Old Burray Kirk, St Larence’s looks out to Kirk Tang and Holm Sound. A path from the car park takes you along the coast to Bu Sand. The church appears to have been on this site since the 11th century and was probably a small private church linked to the Earldom estate at The Bu. In the 12th century, it looks to have been upgraded to a parish church. It was rebuilt in 1621 by the Laird William Stewart of Mains. There were various problems with the building from around 1800. The roof was repaired in 1852, but problems with the building continued. The last service was held in 1874. The Church of Scotland had decided to build a new church near Echna Brock (see below). While the old parish church is roofless, it remains open to the public as a reflection space. Next to it is Burray’s war memorial and it is surrounded on three sides by a burial ground. For more information go to Canmore. There is an information board within the ruins.

St Lawrence’s Church II, Burray (KW17 2TA click for map). This building has now been replaced by an industrial shed. It was only in use for just over fifty years. It was built to the same measurements as the old Burray Kirk, so they could use the old church’s roof. The Manse, however, remains and has been recently renovated. Now known as Summerton, it is next door on Bu Road. Towards the end of the nineteenth century, St Lawrence’s was separated from St Peter’s.

Burray United Succession Church / Burray United Presbyterian Church / United Free Church of Scotland / Church of Scotland, Water Road, Burray (KW17 2SS click for map). The Manse was close by. The United Succession Church existed until 1847 It then merged with the Presbytery of Relief to form the United Presbyterian Church – which in turn joined the United Free Church of Scotland in 1900. In 1929 it united with the Church of Scotland and shortly the two Burray congregations joined together and the building overlooking Echna Brock was vacated. 

Burray Baptist Chapel, Bu Road, Bu, Burray (KW17 2SZ – click for map). The Chapel was established by Alexander Kennedy. He had moved to Burray from Stroma (an island south of South Ronaldsay) in 1802 and set up a Baptist meeting for worship in his home. In 1840 the meeting moved from the house to the local public schoolroom. In 1848 they gained their own Chapel opposite the schoolhouse and in 1862 a manse was built next door. With the decline of the fishing industry in Burray attendance dropped. The Chapel closed in 1966.

Other chapels and gospel halls in South Ronaldsay

In addition to this chapel and the Loch of Burwick (St Colm’s Chapel), seven other chapels were recorded on the island in 1627. Sadly, there is also little to be seen at their sites. They were: 

• Sant Androis at Woundwick aka Saint Andrew’s Chapel, Windwick (KW17 2RN click for map). This is the site of the chapel and the burial ground and is worth looking at if you are in Windwick for the Cairns etc (Places not to miss 5)
• Our Ladie at Halcro aka Our Lady’s Chapel and burial ground, Halcro Road (KW17 2RW click for map). The site of the Chapel is just off the road/track to Halcro. This is a turning on Holland Road which takes you past Flaws Burial Ground. You should use the adjacent car park and walk up the track for about 400m. Ahead of you is Halcro Farm, which was the site of Halcro Castle (C13). The path to the site of the Chapel is on the left but only enter the field if there are no cattle or rams. Again there is not much to see (other than the view).
• Ruid chappell in Sandwick aka Ruid Chapel and Burial Ground, Mucklehouse (click for map). The first thing to say here is to approach the area or return from it via Sandwick Road. Stop just after Cloudiehall and take the short path takes you to Cist and the Standing Stone. If you are taking the South Ronaldsay West Coast walk from Sandwick Bay Road, there are various things to see, including two burnt mounds, Weems Castle and the site of Ruid Chapel (C14). The Chapel was behind Mucklehouse, but today there is sadly little to see.
• Sant Tola in Wydwall | St Ola’s Chapel and burial ground, Kirkhouse (KW17 2TG click for map). Take the track running alongside Widewall Bay – to the right of Kirkhouse Mill, Today, there is no sign of the Chapel etc. which was thought to be from ‘Norse’ times. An excavation in 2006 revealed the remains of a substantial building but no chapel was definitely located (Canmore).
• Sant Colme in Hoxay | St Colms Chapel, Sands of Wright (KW17 2TW click for map). The 7th Century chapel is said to have been on the small knoll (known as Kirkie Brae) at the north western end of The Sands (Canmore).
• Sant Colmeis in Grymnes | St Colm’s Chapel, Grimness (KW17 2TH click for map). No obvious remains of the 13th Century chapel can be seen and, similarly, there is no trace of the burial ground (Canmore).
• Sant Ninian in Stow. (Site of Saint Ninian’s Chapel Stews – click for map). There are no obvious signs of the chapel and burial ground, other than a slightly raised, roughly rectangular area to the east of the Stews Standing Stone. Canmore describes it as a ‘Romish chapel … believed to have been established about the 14th century’.

There are also two gospel halls – one still active and one now holiday accommodation.

Gospel Hall, Church Road, St Margaret’s Hope (KW17 2SR click for map). Gospel Halls started appearing in the late 1860s in Orkney. This hall is not shown on the 1879 Ordnance Survey map but is on the 1900 map. It is still in use – see Orkney Assemblies.

Mission Hall, Herston (KW17 2SR click for map). This hall has a crest on the north wall dating it from 1884. As above, it is not shown on the 1879 Ordnance Survey map but is on the 1900 map. It looks out onto the Oyce of Herston and Widewall Bay – and has been converted for use as holiday accommodation. 

Events

The Festival of the Horse and Ploughing Match: one of Orkney’s unique occasions that dates back two centuries – https://calendarcustoms.com/articles/boys-ploughing-match-festival-of-the-horse/ and http://www.orkneyjar.com/tradition/festivalofhorse.htm.

South Ronaldsay and Burray Agricultural Show, a popular event for local farmers, communities and families – https://www.orkney.com/events/south-ronaldsay-and-burray-agricultural-show and https://www.facebook.com/SouthRonaldsayBurrayAgriculturalSociety. 

Details of community groups and activities can be found on the noticeboards at Robertsons, Doulls and the Old Trading Post.

Military sites

 

 

Mills – water and wind

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_watermills_in_the_United_Kingdom

 

Museums   

Smiddy Museum, School Road, St Margaret’s Hope, South Ronaldsay: open in the summer season, the Smiddy Museum is a restored blacksmith’s Smiddy. It contains equipment and machinery ranging over the past century, along with a collection of horse-drawn implements and other smiddy-made artefacts. It also houses photographic archives of local village and island life – https://en-gb.facebook.com/smiddymuseum/.

Orkney Fossil and Heritage Centre, Viewforth Road, Burray, (KW17 2SY). Open in the summer months, the Centre offers a fascinating collection of fossils plus a geological display that explores the formation of the islands. Click to see more.

Nature

 

Schools and halls

 

Herston primary

Tomison’s Academy

Widewall

Standing stones

First a warning: on the island, many stones stand but are not of historic interest.

We have listed stones that appear on Canmore and The Megalithic Portal and added one wonderful modern addition from Willie Budge – The Millennium Standing Stone on Kirkhouse Point.

East side

Sorquoy Standing Stone, Kirkhouse Road, South Ronaldsay (KW17 2TJ click for map). This is one of the larger standing stones in Orkney. It is over 14ft high. Getting to it requires some care, for while the route is marked as a path, it is not easy to follow. The walk is uneven and competes with a ditch for much of its length.

The Millennium Standing Stone, Kirkhouse Road, South Ronaldsay (KW17 2TJ, click for map). Created by a local craftsman – Willie Budge – this stone features various historical elements such as a dragon head, Pictish symbols, and a Viking longship. It also cleverly uses a hole that echoes that of The Stone of Odin at the Ness of Brodgar (click to read about the different interpretations of why the hole was created).

Stews Standing Stone. If you continue south from Kirkhouse you can pick up the East Coast walk which takes you to Windwick and beyond. If you walk the length of the beach and pick up the path that runs close to the cliff edge, you will see Stew’s farm on your right. Stay on the East Coast walk. About 1/4 of a mile after the farm you will see Stew’s Standing Stone. It is a triangular block of red sandstone just under 2m high (click for a short piece on the stone from the Northern Antiquarian, further details can be found on Canmore). There were two other stones here. On the eastside of the standing stone is the site of Saint Ninian’s Chapel and burial ground. The stone can also be reached from Stews Road.

Clouduhall (aka Cloudiehall / Cloddyhall) Standing Stone. This stone is in a field opposite Cloudiehall and next to Sandwick Road. To the west, you will find a ‘gate’ to the field. The path takes you past an early Bronze Age cist and the site of a possible Neolithic chambered cairn (they are next to the road and about halfway between the entrance to the field and the standing stone). The stone is about 2.8m high – and just under 1.4m wide (at its widest point).

Viewpoints and features

Olad’s Summit

Olav’s Wood

Ward’s Hill

Walks

Visit Walkhighlands for details of five walks on Burray and South Ronaldsay:

Brough Ness circuit, Burwick, South Ronaldsay. The walk takes around 2 hours and is listed as 5.75 km. [Walkhighlands]

East Coast walk, South Ronaldsay This walk takes around 5 hours and is listed as 14.5km. [Walkhighlands – this is not a circular walk]. It ends around 3km from St Margaret’s Hope – and, at the moment, there is no regular bus from the Hope back down to the starting point in Burwick. You need someone to drop you off at the start and pick you up at Kirkhouse. Another option is to do a shorter version and return e.g. Burwick to Windwick or Kirkhouse to Windwick.

Hoxa Head, South Ronaldsay – The walk takes around an hour and is listed as 2.7km. [Walkhighlands – circular walk]

Sands o’ Wright, South Ronaldsay  The walk takes around two hours (max) and is listed as 6km. [Walkhighlands – circular walk).

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In-Depth Report: Parish of South Ronaldsay & Burray

 

updated: March 16, 2025