Native sheep
North Ronaldsay is famous for its unique native sheep, one of the rarest and most distinctive breeds in Britain. For nearly two centuries, the flock has lived largely on the island’s foreshore, grazing on kelp and other seaweeds washed in by the tides. They are in fact one of only breeds in the world that survive primarily on seaweed (the other being marine iguanas).
The sheep are kept on the shore by a 13-mile drystone Sheep Dyke, built around the island in 1832. Hardy, small and perfectly adapted to their wild coastal home, North Ronaldsay sheep are an inseparable part of the island’s landscape, history and way of life.
Seals
Seals are a familiar sight around North Ronaldsay’s coastline, resting on skerries and beaches or watching curiously from the water just offshore. Both grey and common seals are found around Orkney, and the island’s quiet bays and rocky shores offer plenty of opportunities to spot them.
Look out across the shallows as you walk the coast and you may see a head appearing above the water, often watching you just as closely as you are watching it!
Orcas and dolphins
North Ronaldsay’s position at the meeting point of the North Sea and Atlantic makes it a wonderful place to watch for passing marine life. Orcas are regularly sighted in Orkney waters, along with dolphins, porpoises and whales, and sightings are sometimes possible straight from the island’s shore.
Nothing is guaranteed, of course, but keeping an eye on the horizon can be richly rewarded. A sudden fin, a pod travelling past the coast, or an orca appearing offshore can turn an ordinary island walk into something unforgettable.