Islands · Scottish Islands
Rousay
Also known as: Romhsaigh
Rousay — island of the Orkney Islands, Scotland, UK.
Wikimedia Commons contributors — see linked file page for photographer and licence licence
Plan your visit
- Typical visit
- 4 h–12 h
- Free entry
- Dog-friendly
Getting there & planning your visit
Rousay is an island in the Scottish Islands, and it does not have a nearest railway station or a postcode provided. Entry to the island is free.
About
Rousay is a island in the United Kingdom. It covers approximately 4,860 km². Recent population estimates put it at around 216 people. Heritage designation: Site of Special Scientific Interest. Part of Orkney Islands. Wikidata describes it as: "island of the Orkney Islands, Scotland, UK". Coordinates: 59.1667°, -3.0333°.
Photo gallery
Summary from the official site
The Scots Language Centre focuses on the Scots language and its place-names, providing a map that highlights the linguistic heritage of Scotland. Visitors can explore the historical development of Scots place-names and their significance in regional dialects, as well as the influences of various languages on the Scots language.
Read more on the official property page.
From the Wikipedia article
Rousay (, Scots: Rousee; Old Norse: Hrólfsey meaning Rolf's Island) is a small, hilly island about three kilometres (1+1⁄2 nautical miles) north of Mainland, the largest island in the Orkney Islands of Scotland. It has been nicknamed "Egypt of the north", due to its archaeological diversity and importance. Like its neighbours Egilsay and Wyre, it can be reached by ro-ro ferry MV Eynhallow from Tingwall. This service is operated by Orkney Ferries, and can take up to 95 passengers (reduced to 50 in winter), and 10 cars. The ferry links the islands of Rousay, Egilsay, and Wyre with each other, and with the mainland of Orkney.
Excerpt from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0. See the source article linked in Sources below.
Background
History
Humans first made a Neolithic settlement at Rinyo. Other remnants include Bronze Age burnt mounds, Iron Age crannogs and brochs (the highest density anywhere in Scotland: three within 500 m of coastline), Viking boat burials, remains of a medieval church and a stately home at Trumland. Over 100 archaeological sites have been identified. Only a small fraction have been excavated and characterized. The most spectacular of the sites is the complex of Midhowe Broch and Midhowe Chambered Cairn. Blackhammer Chambered Cairn, Taversoe Tuick, and Knowe of Yarso chambered cairn are important tombs. Rousay placenames reflect its Norse heritage. 'Hrólfs-øy' or 'Hrolfsey' was based on the male name…
Sourced from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Coordinates
- 59.1667, -3.0333
- Population
- 216
- Official site
- d3lmsxlb5aor5x.cloudfront.net
Sources
- wikidata: Q1551897 (CC0)
- wikipedia: Rousay (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- commons: St Mary's Church and graveyard - geograph.org.uk - 1302073.jpg (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Other places nearby
Brown Hill
Mountains & hills · 0.7 km
Mansie's Knowes Cairns
Burial mounds & barrows · 1.2 km
Kierfea Hill
Mountains & hills · 1.4 km
Kierfea Hill
Mountains & hills · 1.4 km
Knowe of Lingro - Chambered Cairn (Neolithic)
Burial mounds & barrows · 1.6 km
Gods Of The Earth, God Of The Sea
Public art & sculpture · 1.8 km
James Leonard of Digro Memorial
Memorials & monuments · 1.9 km
Prehistoric burnt mound
Archaeological sites · 2.0 km
Twelve Hours Tower
Mountains & hills · 2.0 km
Saviskaill Bay - stroll along beach - OIC Orkney Walks
Beaches · 2.1 km
Saviskaill Bay
Natural landmarks · 2.1 km
Saviskaill beach (Nousty Sand)
Beaches · 2.1 km
Nearby
📷 5Mountains & hills · Scottish Islands
Brown Hill
Brown Hill — mountain in scotland islands. Elevation: 177 m.
📷 3Burial mounds & barrows · Scottish Islands
Mansie's Knowes Cairns
Mansie's Knowes Cairns — a burial mound in scotland-islands, United Kingdom.
📷 5Mountains & hills · Scottish Islands
Kierfea Hill
Kierfea Hill — mountain in scotland islands. Elevation: 235 m.
📷 5Mountains & hills · Scottish Islands
Kierfea Hill
Kierfea Hill — a hill or mountain in scotland islands.
Burial mounds & barrows · Scottish Islands
Knowe of Lingro - Chambered Cairn (Neolithic)
Knowe of Lingro - Chambered Cairn (Neolithic) — a burial mound in scotland-islands, United Kingdom.
📷 3Public art & sculpture · Scottish Islands
Gods Of The Earth, God Of The Sea
Gods Of The Earth, God Of The Sea — a public art in scotland-islands, United Kingdom.
Where to eat & stay near Rousay
Places to stay
📷 5Hostels · Scottish Islands
Trumland Hostel & Campsite
Trumland Hostel & Campsite — a hostel in scotland islands.
📷 5Campsites · Scottish Islands
Trumland Hostel & Campsite
Trumland Hostel & Campsite — a campsite in scotland islands.
📷 5
📷 5Caravan parks · Scottish Islands
Caravan and Motorhome Club site
Caravan and Motorhome Club site — a caravan park in scotland islands.
📷 5
📷 5Hostels · Scottish Islands
Eday Community Youth Hostel
Eday Community Youth Hostel — a hostel in scotland islands.
Places to eat & drink
📷 4More places in this region
📷 5Islands · Scottish Islands
Bac Beag
Bac Beag — Scottish island, part of the Treshnish Isles in the Inner Hebrides.
📷 5Islands · Scottish Islands
Bac Mòr
Bac Mòr — island in Argyll and Bute, Scotland, UK, one of the Treshnish Isles.
Flagship📷 3Islands · Scottish Islands
Baleshare
Baleshare — flat tidal island in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland, UK.
Flagship📷 5Islands · Scottish Islands
Barra
Barra — island in Outer Hebrides, Scotland, UK.
Frequently asked questions
- Where is Rousay?
- Rousay is in the Scottish Islands, United Kingdom.
- What is Rousay?
- Rousay — island of the Orkney Islands, Scotland, UK.
- How do I get to Rousay?
- Its coordinates are 59.1667°, -3.0333°.
- Is Rousay a listed building?
- Rousay is officially recognised as Site of Special Scientific Interest listed.
- Is Rousay free to visit?
- Yes, Rousay is free to enter.