Rousay's Riches

The Archaeological Mile

Sail away by Island ferry to Rousay where the seas brought many cultures to its shores, leaving a remarkable array of ancient remains for us to wonder over.

Rousay is steeped in archaeological history from the Stone Age, the Pictish Iron Age, the Viking Invaders, the period of the Earls and the troubled crofting times. For this trip, good walking footwear is advised as well as waterproof clothing.

At 9am we visit the Grain earth-house situated to the west of Kirkwall bay, located at the edge of a modern industrial estate. A subterranean chamber lying approximately two metres beneath the surface of the ground. It is a beautiful example of an Iron age earth-house.

Then we depart for Tingwall in Evie to board the ferry to Rousay and enjoy en route quite spectacular views of the Islands of Eynhallow and Rousay from Burger Hill view point.

10.15am Arrive at Tingwall boarding point. (Toilet facilities are available.) Depart Tingwall for Rousay. Enjoy the sea views, the crisp clean sea air and the chance to see common seals and birds native to these islands.Arrive at Rousay 11am.

Time for coffee, the Pier Restaurant serves excellent home made foods from local produce. After a refreshing and welcome coffee we will visit the Trumland Visitor Centre. There you can source detailed information and interpretation of many ancient sites as well as natural history, modern and historical.

The first place of significant interest is the Taversoe Tuick a rare two storied cairn, and nearby is Blackhammer Cairn and Yarso cairn both stalled cairns.

Next on our trip is the Westness Walk, which is described as the most important archaeological mile in Scotland. Westness Walk spans settlements from the first stone age settlers, the Pictish Iron Age, the Viking invaders, the period of the earls and the troubled crofting times.

Now we move on to visit, what most people think to be the spectaular highspot of the trip, the Midhowe Broch. It is amongst the finest examples of a fortified dwelling built during the Bronze/Iron Ages.

The stone Age cairn is the largest known of its kind and is protected by a modern building.

Time for lunch, we will enjoy lunch at one of the local Hotel/Resturants who all serve beautiful home made food.

After a leisurely lunch we will continue our trip to Wasbister Loch, the site of two crannogs or Iron Age fortified settlements built on artificial islands. As we continue we pass Saviskaill Beach a sheltered sandy beach which is a common place for the local seal population to live.

Finally we will visit Green Gaisty, a rare example of the ancient earth dykes found across the islands, and on our way back we can take in views to the island of Westray and the Atlantic. At 5.15pm we book in for the return ferry (comfort break). Arriving at Tingwall at 6.25pm we then make our way back to your accommadation enjoying the views on route.

Tour fees include all admission fees, ferry fees and lunch.

Features Summary

Its all in this tour; broch's loch's cairn's and culture's. By ferry to the island of Rousay - what riches in store for you!

The Archeological Mile

• Grain earth-house
• Ferry sailing
• Trumland Visitor Centre
• Taversoe Tuick
• Blackhammer cairn and Yarso cairn
• Westness Walk
• Midhowe Broch
• Wasbister Loch
• Saviskaill Beach
• Green Gaisty
• Lunch included
• All site admission fees included

For booking information click here