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North Ronaldsay is the northernmost island in the Orkney archipelago of Scotland. With an area of 690 hectares (2.7 sq mi), it is the fourteenth-largest. It is mentioned in the Orkneyinga saga; in modern times it is known for its historic lighthouse, migratory bird life and unusual breed of sheep. North Ronaldsay lies around 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) north of its nearest neighbour, Sanday. It is around 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) long and is defined by two large sandy bays; Linklet Bay on the eastern shoreline and South Bay at the south. The west of the island is very rocky, with many skerries. North Ronaldsay is low-lying and exposed; its climate is extremely changeable and frequently inclement. The surrounding waters are stormy and treacherous, and have been a notorious "graveyard" for ships (hence the unusually early provision of a lighthouse on the island). Hollandstoun at the south of the island is the most sizable settlement; it lies roughly equidistant from the airfield and the pier.
[edit] ParishThe island was listed as part of the parish of Stronsay in 1615, although later it was part of the "united parish" of Place:Cross and Burness, Orkney, Scotland, which were two of the three original parishes of Sanday Island.[1] In 1831 North Ronaldshay was created a "quod sacra" parish in its own right. [2] [edit] Population
[edit] Divisions
![]() Map naming the six townships in blue and the various crofts in red (click here for larger view) The island is divided into six "townships". North of the Matches Dyke are Ancumstoun and East North Yard; between Matches Dyke and the Muckle Gersty is Linklet and south of the Muckle Gersty are Bustatoun, Hollandstoun and Nesstoun.[3]
[edit] References
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