There is plenty to discover on North Ronaldsay. Visitors can enjoy birdwatching, explore the island’s two lighthouses, tour the Wool Mill, experience spectacular dark skies, visit the Stan Stane and take in the island’s abundant wildlife. The annual Sheep Festival and ancient sheepdyke also offer a glimpse into the traditions that make North Ronaldsay so unique.
Ideas of what to see and an interactive map can be found here
Bird watching
Despite the short daylight hours and often unsettled weather, winter birding on North Ronaldsay can be both productive and rewarding.
For current sightings, see: Current Bird Sightings
Lighthouses
Discover two landmarks in Scotland’s lighthouse history: the 18th-century Old Beacon at Dennis Head and North Ronaldsay’s 42-metre lighthouse, the tallest land-based lighthouse in the British Isles.
Wool Mill
Step inside the island’s wool mill and discover how fleece from North Ronaldsay’s seaweed-eating sheep is transformed into beautiful natural yarns, batts and felt.
Dark Skies & Astronomy
North Ronaldsay is recognised as a Dark Sky Community, with clear nights offering extraordinary views of the Milky Way, stars and open sea horizons.
The island community works to protect the natural night-time environment, reduce light pollution, and share its skies through talks, walks and astronomy resources.
Standing Stone
The Stan Stane is an ancient standing stone linked to Neolithic astronomy, old island traditions and folklore
Sheep Festival and Sheepdyke
The North Ronaldsay Sheep Festival celebrates the island’s famous seaweed-eating sheep and the historic stone sheepdyke that keeps them on the foreshore. Each summer, volunteers join islanders to repair and rebuild sections of the dyke, learning traditional drystone skills while helping preserve one of Scotland’s most distinctive island traditions.
Nature
You can’t find a better place for nature tourism than Orkney, and North Ronaldsay boasts an abundance of wildlife to enjoy (from afar, please!)
New Kirk – Island Archives
Following an extensive and full renovation of the New Kirk by The North Ronaldsay Trust, the island’s Archive Project has had a fresh makeover. Pop in to learn more about the island, residents current and past, agriculture, fishing, heealthcare and education.
