South Ronaldsay tourist information

South Ronaldsay is the most southerly of the Orkney islands, just a short ferry journey from Scotland and linked to the smaller islands of Burray and Holm, and then to the Orkney mainland by a series of narrow causeways.

These causeways are known as the Churchill Barriers, built during WWII as naval defences to cut off the Scarpa Flow and prevent a repeat of the German U-Boat attack which sank the HMS Royal Oak in 1939 with the loss of 833 lives. The Flow attracts divers from far and wide to explore the many sunken ships in this area, many deliberately scuppered or sunk, although the Royal Oak itself is a protected war grave.

The main town is St Margaret's Hope, a characterful fishing harbour of quaint stone cottages which also takes the ferry service from near John O'Groats.

The island is popular for walking, cycling and wildlife watching, particularly seals and seabirds.

There are also several historic attractions nearby, including the Orkney Fossil and Heritage Centre and the 'Tomb of the Eagles', an amazing prehistoric site where 5,000 year old human and eagle remains were discovered buried together.