Orkney Part 3

Rousay

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!

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:

On an absolutely stunning ridgeline.

Have I mentioned yet that I love heather?

I encountered this lovely (and humungous) Saturnia pavonia (small emperor moth) caterpillar.

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.

The bees, the heather…

The hill just seemed to go on and on across the moor.

But I did, at last, make it to the top.

And what a view!

Little ponds, in old peat cuttings, I presume.

More peat cuttings on the way down.

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.

And to relax after a hike with an Orkney beer.