Wyre is a small island just a short ferry hop over from Rousay; this walk visits one of the oldest castles in Scotland before heading for the coast which is popular with seals at low tide.
Minor roads, fields with livestock, grassy coastal path.
Ferry from Tingwall via Rousay (some services only with pre-booking request).
Wyre ferry pier.
Start from the ferry pier (waiting room and toilets) and walk up the road, ignoring the turn on the left for Rusness. Follow the road as it bends right and continue ahead until the Heritage Centre on the right is reached. Here you can read about the island's history including the poet Edwin Muir who lived nearby at The Bu for his early years.
Just before the Heritage Centre building turn right from the road and go through the gate and downhill and through the white gate to visit the remains of the 12th century St Mary's Chapel.
Behind the chapel cross the wide stepped stone wall which acts as a stile and climb a faint path up the steep grass to a kissing gate giving access to Cubbie Roo's Castle. Dating from the 12th century, it may have been built by a Norwegian, Kolbein Hruga who settled on Wyre and became known as Cubbie Roo although there is also evidence that Cubbie Roo was a homegrown Orcadian giant. The castle is also famous for a rare fern, Wall-Rue which grows over the walls.
Return to the road and turn right passing the Heritage Centre. The massive Trumland House over on Rousay is visible to the right. When the road forks take the track on the left leading to Testaquoy, bearing right to pass to the right of the house and keep following the grassy track (sometimes muddy) through a farm gate.
The track bears left to head down to the coast, walk between the sea and the first loch. Sandwich and arctic terns are summer visitors here, don't disturb them during the nesting season. Follow the coast all the way round the headland where seals often haul out onto the rocks at low tide.
Once back at the first loch retrace the outward route past the house at Testaquoy and along the road all the way back to the ferry pier.
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