Midhowe Broch and Cairn, Rousay

Summary

Few short walks in Scotland can pack as many fine archaeological sites as this one. Explore the hugely impressive Midhowe stalled Cairn and the nearby Midhowe Broch, perhaps the finest in Orkney. The route then visits other sites including the remains of a 13th century ceremonial hall, 16th century church and the site of an archaeological dig site where Neolithic and Viking remains were uncovered.

Grade

Bog Factor

4.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Good path down to the cairn and broch; becoming rougher along the coast.

Getting there

Start

Midhowe Cairn parking, minor road NW Rousay.

Public Transport

Ferry to Rousay from Tingwall, Mainland Orkney. A dial-a-ride bus service operates on Rousay.

Start Grid Ref

HY375307

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 2.7km / 1.75 miles
Time: 1 hour
Ascent: 120m (Profile)

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Walk Description

User reports (2)

Stage 1

There is a parking layby on the road near Westside, reached by following the B9064 west from the pier. From the parking area descend steeply across the fields on the signed path. Pass through a kissing gate part way down, and keep straight across at a track.

Stage 2

The large building seen below was built after the excavation of the cairn in 1932 by Walter Grant, to protect the cairn from the elements. Grant was the owner of the Highland Park distillery and poured much of the profits into archaeological digs on Rousay. After passing through a gap in the stone wall at the shore, turn right to visit it.

Stage 3

Enter the building to view the cairn, which is huge and well preserved except for the lack of a roof. Large stone slabs create stalls within the large tomb and it is thought the dead were initially kept near the entrance and the bones later moved into the main body of the cairn once the flesh had rotted. Cattle and sheep bones as well as antlers, fish bones and shells were also found here, suggesting either ritual feasting or that these items were placed with the bodies.

Stage 4

From the far side of the building it is only a very short walk to Midhowe Broch, sited right on the coast and dating back to the Iron Age. It would have been used as a fortified residence. There is an information board with a suggestion of how it may have looked when occupied. From the broch retrace your steps past the cairn building and continue along the coast on a faint path.

Stage 5

Pass the remains of Brough Farm and soon after head slightly inland through a kissing gate to shortly reach the ruins of the 16th century St Mary's Church built on the site of a medieval church. Go through the next kissing gate to return to the seaward side of the wall and pass the ruins of Skaill Farm.

Stage 6

From here the coastal path becomes quite overgrown en route to Westside Farm and so our route instead returns the same way. If you wish to explore a little further, pass through a gap in a stone wall and some stony shore ruins dating from the Iron Age. Beyond this was the site of a huge archaeological dig at Swandro. Iron Age or 'Pictish' cellular buildings were uncovered as well as the remains of a Viking hall, though the site is being destroyed by the sea. It is best to retrace your steps back to the start.

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