North Ronaldsay
Isolated North Ronaldsay is Orkney's most northerly island.
North of Sanday, North Ronaldsay is just three miles by one and rises only 66ft above sea level. The island is almost overwhelmed by the enormity of the sky, the strength of wind and the ferocity of the sea - so much so that its very existence seems an act of tenacious defiance. Despite these adverse conditions, North Ronaldsay has been inhabited for centuries, and continues to be heavily farmed from old-style crofts.
There are very few real sights on the island, apart from a unique breed of sheep that cannot be round up by sheepdogs, and feed on seaweed. The island is a hotspot for rare birds that stop by in spring and autumn, while there are also many breeding species which spend the spring and summer here. Following in the footsteps of the famous Fair Isle, there is now a bird observatory here.
The New Lighthouse is the tallest land-based lighthouse in Britain, rising to a height of over 100ft. On a clear day you can see Fair Isle, and even Sumburgh and Fitful Head on Shetland.
