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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
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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