18 Attractions to Explore Near Gairsay
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Cubbie Roo's CastleCubbie Roo's Castle is one of the oldest examples of its type in Scotland. Built as the base for a Viking named Kolbein Hruga, it's thought the structure could have been three storeys high, commanding strategic views out over Gairsay Sound and the surrounding approaches. The ruin we see today has been identified as the castle described in the saga, and 'Roo' is probably a corruption of 'Kolbein Hruga'.
WyreWyre is one of the Orkney Islands, lying south-east of Rousay. It is 311 hectares and 32 metres at its highest point. It is one of the smallest inhabited islands in the archipelago. Orkney Ferries sail from the island to Tingwall on the Orkney Mainland, Egilsay and Rousay.
Taversöe TuickTaversöe Tuick is a Neolithic burial cairn on Rousay, Orkney, Scotland, thought to date from between 4000 and 2500 BCE. The monument includes a rare example of a double-tiered chamber, an upper chamber approached via a passageway and a lower subterranean chamber, originally separate, which can now be reached via a modern ladder from the upper chamber. The site is a scheduled monument in the care of Historic Environment Scotland.
Trumland HouseTrumland is a Category B listed house and associated estate on Rousay, in Orkney, Scotland, built in its present form in 1875. This house is of a strong baronial design, with crow-stepped gables and canted windows, made from the local Rousay stone, with fine carved finials and architectural detailingExplore the woodland and water gardens, as well as the lawns, walled garden and orchard. There is also a picnic area at Trumland House Gardens which are open between May and October.
Blackhammer Chambered CairnBlackhammer Chambered Cairn is a Neolithic cairn on Rousay, in Orkney, Scotland. It is a scheduled monument in the care of Historic Environment Scotland.It is thought to date from around 3000 BC. The structure is a typical stalled cairn, with an interior divided into seven compartments by pairs of upright stone slabs. The cairn has a modern roof, as the cairn originally was only a few feet high. Access is by a hatchway and ladder in the roof, as the original entrance was sealed
Knowe Of YarsoKnowe of Yarso is one of at least 15 chambered tombs on the small island of Rousay. These were used for communal burial and their distribution probably relates to landholding by small farming communities. The chamber is relatively well lit inside with natural daylight that comes through small glass panels in the protective roof that has been added in more recent years.
Broch of GurnessThe Broch of Gurness is an Iron Age broch village on the northeast coast of Mainland Orkney in Scotland overlooking Eynhallow Sound, about 15 miles north-west of Kirkwall. It once housed a substantial community. It is perched on the edge of the Orkney's west mainland - part of a coastline that, at one point, would have been lined with brochs. Across Eynhallow Sound you can see another well-preserved example at Midhowe in Rousay.
St Magnus WayThe St Magnus Way is a long-distance pilgrimage route through Mainland Orkney, following the story of St Magnus and giving time and space for reflection on the journey. The route follows the procession of Magnus’ body after his mother pleaded for it to be returned from Egilsay for a Christian burial in Birsay, as well as its later journey to Kirkwall Cathedral.
Balfour castleCastle Balfour was built around 1620 for Sir James Balfour of Glenawley. It was one of many castles designed to secure the Plantation of Ulster during the 17th century. It was built in the Scottish style of fortified houses. It is a Category A listed building and the landscape and formal gardens are listed in the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland.
EgilsayEgilsay is one of the Orkney Islands in Scotland, lying east of Rousay. The island is largely farmland and is known for its corncrakes and St Magnus Church, dedicated or re-dedicated to Saint MagnusIt is home to acres of moorland, steep hills and cliffs, whereas both Egilsay and Wyre offer a more traditional Orcadian landscape of green fields and fertile farmland.
EynhallowEynhallow is a small, presently uninhabited island. This 75-hectare island is surrounded by ferocious tidal races - known in Orkney dialect as "roosts. Originally believed to be the summer home of the Finfolk, the island was wrested from them by the guile of an Orkney farmer. There is no ferry to the island, although Orkney Heritage Society organises a trip each July.
Midhowe Tomb and Chambered CairnA large Neolithic chambered cairn located on the south shore of the island of Rousay, Orkney, Scotland. The name "Midhowe" comes from the Iron Age broch known as Midhowe Broch, that lies just west of the tomb. Together, the broch and chambered cairn form part of a large complex of ancient structures on the shore of Eynhallow Sound separating Rousay from Mainland, Orkney.
Midhowe BrochMidhowe Broch is one of at least nine brochs that stand along the banks of narrow, dangerous Eynhallow Sound in Orkney.It's surrounded by the sea to its rear and geos to its sides, with a ditch and stone barrier blocking easy access from the front. This natural defense from seaborne invaders is maybe one of the reasons why the Iron Age inhabitants of Midhowe Broch chose this location.
Grain Earth HouseGrain Earth House is an exceptionally well-built and well-preserved example of an earth house. Its original entrance survives today, leading to a 5m-long passage winding its way to an oval chamber. It’s part of a larger settlement of stone roundhouses, though we don’t know the settlement’s full extent.
Orkney Wireless MuseumThis museum comprises of the history of early domestic radio and wartime communications in Orkney with maps, charts, valves, transistors, rare exhibits, wartime memorabilia and photo archive. It was founded in 1983 by the late Jim MacDonald after a lifetime passion working with, investigating and collecting, all things electrical. The displays and photographic archive bear testament to the strategic and military importance of Orkney during World War II.
Kirkwall Swimming PoolThe Kirkwall pool is 25 m long and has a diving board and spectator area. The Stromness pool building underwent extensive refurbishment in 2000 and includes a steam room, sauna and spa.
Corrigall Farm MuseumCorrigall Farm Museum is a traditional ‘but and ben’ laid out as a typical Orkney farmhouse and steading in Victorian/late 19th century period, although it was still lived in like this until the last inhabitants left in the mid-20th century. It's a fascinating place to visit, and it provides a particularly interesting counterpoint to the Kirbuster Museum, which is around five miles north west as the crow flies, though slightly further by car.
The Orkney MuseumA historical museum in Kirkwall, which tells the story of Orkney, from the Stone Age, to the Picts and Vikings, right through to the present day. The archaeology collection, which includes artefacts and environmental material from all periods of Orkney's prehistoric and early medieval past, is recognised as being nationally significant.
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Know more about Gairsay
GairsayGairsay is a very attractive small island with a sheltered anchorage in Millburn Bay, and it is not surprising that it was part of a prestigious Norse family estate in the 12th century, conveniently situated as it is astride one of the approaches to the bays of Firth and Kirkwall. It is about 2 miles long and 1 mile wide and includes one conical hill and a small harbour called Millburn Bay, which is sheltered by the peninsula known as the Hen of Gairsay.