South Ronaldsay and Burray are easy of access, being linked to Orkney mainland by roads over the Churchill Barriers - a series of causeways originally built to defend the navy base at Scapa Flow from attack from the east.
South Ronaldsay is the larger island, its attractive stone-built capital St Margaret's Hope served by car ferries from Gil's Bay on the Scottish mainland (there is also a passenger ferry to Brough from John o' Groats in summer). Walks here vary from sandy beaches and explorations of the Scapa Flow defences from World War Two, to a fine clifftop walk taking in much of the eastern coastline. Burray is a much smaller island; from here you can explore Hunda - linked by a concrete causeway - or visit the celebrated Italian chapel on Lamb Holm - connected by the Churchill barriers.
Walk | Grade | Length | Time |
---|---|---|---|
Hoxa Head, South Ronaldsay |
![]() | 2.7km | 1 hour |
Brough Ness circuit, Burwick, South Ronaldsay |
![]() | 5.75km | 2 hours |
Sands o' Wright, South Ronaldsay |
![]() | 6km | 1.5 - 2 hours |
Hunda island from Burray village |
![]() ![]() | 12.75km | 3.5 - 4 hours |
East Coast walk, South Ronaldsay |
![]() ![]() | 14.5km | 4 - 5.5 hours |