---
title: "Orkney Part 3"
type: "post"
post_id: "152"
slug: "rousay"
canonical: "https://eskerhazy.ca/?p=152"
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published: "2026-09-18T20:21:39+00:00"
modified: "2026-09-18T20:21:39+00:00"
author: "admin"
categories:
  - "Le peregrinazioni di Lis"
tags:
site_name: "eskerhazy"
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Rousay
------

![](https://eskerhazy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/1000017510-1024x771.jpg)Today was a day for exploring Rousay – the island is bigger than I thought! But never mind – there were 3 neolithic sites just off the road within a 30 minute walk from my hostel!

![](https://eskerhazy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/1000017512-1024x771.jpg)Blackhammer chambered cairn – literally beside the main road. I was astounded that you could just walk up to it, and climb in. It’s fenced, but just to keep the livestock out. Next was Yarso cairn:

![](https://eskerhazy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/1000017532-1024x771.jpg)On an absolutely stunning ridgeline.

![](https://eskerhazy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/1000017530-1024x771.jpg)Have I mentioned yet that I love heather?

![](https://eskerhazy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/1000017541-1024x771.jpg)I encountered this lovely (and humungous) *Saturnia pavonia* (small emperor moth) caterpillar.

![](https://eskerhazy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/1000017544-1024x771.jpg)One more neolithic site (Taversöe Tuick) on the walk back – this one I actually went in because there was an older couple there – I’m a bit weirded out going inside them by myself.

I was considering trying to hitch a ride to one of the other archaeological sites or walking trails after lunch, but decided to do a walk up into an RSPB reserve and up to the high point if the island, conveniently just near the hostel. This was my first big trek through thick heather – the track was one shoe-width and the heather was up to my waist in places. Very glad I brought my walking poles for hopping over boggy parts as well.

![](https://eskerhazy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/1000017547-771x1024.jpg)The bees, the heather…

![](https://eskerhazy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/1000017561-1024x771.jpg)The hill just seemed to go on and on across the moor.

![](https://eskerhazy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/1000017564-1024x771.jpg)But I did, at last, make it to the top.

![](https://eskerhazy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/1000017560-1024x771.jpg)And what a view!

![](https://eskerhazy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/1000017577-1024x771.jpg)Little ponds, in old peat cuttings, I presume.

More peat cuttings on the way down.

![](https://eskerhazy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/1000017582-1024x771.jpg)![](https://eskerhazy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/1000017590.jpg)Not pictured: stoat traps. My host at the hostel had just come back from a meeting of the stoat response brigade (not the official name), because they’ve confirmed one has made its way to Rousay. Likely swam from Mainland Orkney – it’s a male, but they’re taking no chances. Stoats (aka weasel/ermine) are not native here, and could devastate the ecosystem, particularly the unique Orkney Vole and the ground/coast nesting birds. This was the start of me seeing stoat traps EVERYWHERE.

![](https://eskerhazy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/1000017594-1024x771.jpg)And to relax after a hike with an Orkney beer.