North Ronaldsay

North Ronaldsay is a small inhabited island at the northern extremity of the Orkney archipelago in Scotland. It is notable for its small population, remote location and distinctive local traditions.

The island is famous for a unique breed of sheep that largely feed on seaweed along the shore and are kept on the shoreline by an enclosing wall that separates them from interior land. Other features include a historic lighthouse and coastal birdlife attracting natural history interest.

Historically the island’s economy relied on crofting, fishing and seaweed collection; those practices continue at a small scale alongside tourism focused on wildlife and the island’s cultural distinctiveness.

North Ronaldsay lies off the northern tip of mainland Orkney in the North Sea. It is the northernmost inhabited island of the Orkney group and is reached by boat or small aircraft from the Orkney Mainland.

• Unique sheep: Home to a rare local sheep breed that forages largely on seaweed along the shore and is managed by a perimeter dyke that keeps them on the shoreline.
• Access: A small, remote island with limited services; boat or small aircraft are the usual ways to reach it from the Orkney Mainland.