Orkney > South Ronaldsay and Burray

The Islands of South Ronaldsay and Burray as well as Lamb Holm and Glimps Holm are linked to the Orkney Mainland by the Churchill Barriers – blocks cast into the sea between islands, upon which a road has been placed. This was created in WW2 to prevent an attack on the British Fleet by enemy submarines. A beautiful monument to the war can be found on Lamb Holm – the Italian Chapel – a place of worship built by Italian Prisoners.

Burray is a small island surrounded by lovely beaches, and home to the Orkney Fossil Museum.

South Ronaldsay is a lovely island, which still retains some of the charm of the more remote northerly islands of Orkney. It’s main town is St Margarets Hope and the island has stunning views almost everywhere you go. In August at the Sands o Wright is the Boy’s Ploughing Match, where boys of the island dress up as ploughmen (who plough the sand), and the girls are dressed up, in elaborate costumes, as horses.

Sites in Lambs Holm worth a visit include:

1. The Italian Chapel – built in 1943 by Italian prisoners of war (who were working at the time on the Churchill Barriers), the Italian chapel was built out of two Nissan huts and scrap. The interior was painted by Domenico Chiocchetti. It is now one of the most visited attractions in Orkney and is a poignant monument to faith.

Sites in Burray worth a visit include:

2. The Orkney Fossil Museum and Vintage Centre – a superb little museum dedicated to the geology of Orkney. Thousands of years ago, Orkney and Shetland were covered by a lake – which has left in the rocks of the island, amazing fish fossils as well as fossils of other creatures.

Sites in South Ronaldsay, worth a visit include:

3. St Margaret’s Hope – the main town in South Ronaldsay, St Margaret’s Hope is built around a bay and has plenty to interest the visitor – restaurants, pubs, cafes, museums and shops

4. The Tomb of the Eagles – a cliff-side Neolithic tomb which contained over 340 bodies, as well as the talons of sea eagles, hence the name. The visitors centre allows you to get close to archaeology – you can hold a skull and see the Neolithic pottery.

Map of South Ronaldsay and Burray

Booking a ferry to Orkney directly with NorthLink Ferries on www.northlinkferries.co.uk is cheaper than booking with another website and we never charge for any amendments made to your booking!

Getting to South Ronaldsay and Burray
Travel from Scrabster to Stromness with NorthLink Ferres. Once docked, take the A965 for 15 miles to Kirkwall. Take the A961 to St Mary's in Holm for 8 miles. Following the main road, you will see the Chruchill Barriers - cross these to get to Burray and South Ronaldsay.
Alternatively, travel from Aberdeen or Lerwick to Kirkwall with NorthLink Ferries. Once docked at Hatston, turn left at the first junction to head towards Kirkwall town centre. Take the A961 to St Mary's in Holm for 8 miles. Following the main road, you will see the Chruchill Barriers - cross these to get to Burray and South Ronaldsay.

Top tips
• Beautiful sandy beaches have built up at Barriers number 3 and 4, making these excellent destinations for those wishing to picnic and sunbathe.
• There is a fifth Churchill Barrier, which links the uninhabited island of Hunda with Burray. This causeway is for walkers only.

South Ronaldsay Businesses and Services

Tomb of The Eagles website