ROUSAY TOURS
Revealing the past
Embark on a journey with Rousay Tours and
delve into the rich history and daily life of
a small but significant Orcadian island
As a visitor to Orkney, you should make the island of Rousay one of your top destinations.
The island has a rich history and its picturesque landscapes and varied wildlife only add to its beauty.
Rousay boasts more than 140 archaeological sites, some of which are actively being dug during the summer season and continue to reveal new information leading to re-evaluation of existing narratives.
On your tour I will show you a variety of archaeological features giving you the opportunity to explore and imagine how the ancient people may have lived, worked and traded and how people exist on the island today.
Wildlife surrounds us and I will be happy to stop the minibus should you see something of particular interest.
Tours & prices
Rousay Revealed is my very popular and engaging tour of Rousay and includes a circuit of the island with an opportunity to see the rich landscape, flora and fauna and to visit the most requested archaeological sites. We'll discuss island life through the centuries and what it's like now to live on our wonderful island. You will be my focus as I provide an immersive and authentic exploration of island life, allowing you to witness its beauty and rich history up close.
Tea and coffee will be provided but please bring your own lunch.
The Rousay Revealed tour is timed to meet guests arriving at Rousay Pier having boarded to 1040/45 ferry from Tingwall with the tour ending at Rousay Pier at approximately 17:00 in time to get the 17:30 ferry back to Tingwall. We will have a brief lunch stop at Saviskaill where you can observe seals and seabirds and hardy swimmers (the Rousay Polar Bears).
You will join a group of up to eight people and travel in my Renault Trafic minibus.
Footwear and mobility
Please be aware that all tours involve a moderately steep descent/ascent to Midhowe and routes to other sites are accessed via uneven/muddy ground and through narrow gates. Good footwear is essential.
Due to the varied landscape and tracks the tour is not suitable for people with mobility restrictions.
Rousay Revealed tour prices
Tour payments can be made in cash or by card at the end of the tour before you board the ferry to Tingwall.
Bespoke tour prices
Bespoke/private tours are available at a cost of £750.
The bespoke tour is an exclusive arrangement with the guest. After a direct consultation an itinerary is curated and may feature specific archaeological sites in more detail or places of particular interest in relation to family history.
Neurodivergent friendly tour prices
The Rousay Revealed tour is available as an exclusive booking for people with neurodivergent conditions (including autism/ADHD) and their companions at a cost of £90/£50 per adult/child (min £450).
Please email me if you would like to discuss any of these options.
Ferry tickets
Ferry tickets are additional and paid by you directly to Orkney Ferries.
Please buy your tickets online or from the ticket offices in Kirkwall or Tingwall.
Ferry tickets can be bought onboard from the Purser but advance purchase is preferred.
The ferry departs from Tingwall at *10:40 and you will return from Rousay at 17:30.
I will meet you at Rousay Pier at 11:00 but can also collect you from your accommodation on Rousay if needed.
*Sunday sailing time from Tingwall is 10:45
Adult
Child (under 16)
£90 per person
£50 per person
ABOUT ROUSAY TOURS
I live on Rousay with my family and specialise in offering personal guided tours that allow you to explore some of the archaeological wonders and enjoy the varied landscape of a truly wonderful Orkney island and understand the human geography it's recent history and observe the diverse wildlife around us. I will endeavour to create a memorable experience for each guest, ensuring you leave with a deep connection to the island's heritage and people.
If you have a family link to Rousay, Egilsay or Wyre I will try and add in some personalisation for you during the tour - just send me any details you have of family names, houses, occupations or burial sites and I'll highlight these places.
I'm Martin and I mostly conduct the Rousay Revealed tours for those who have an interest in visiting the key archaeological sites, seeing the wonderfully scenic landscape and to hear about what it's like to live and work on our gorgeous Orcadian island of Rousay.
I moved to Scotland in 1982 and am a former submariner, ambulance crew and part time engineer on our ferry.
Vivian and I are currently building a straw bale house on Rousay.
We are always happy to discuss alternative itineraries for our tours and will always do our best to meet your needs. Please email any requests to rousaytours@gmail.com
I'm Vivian, and I mainly conduct the bespoke and specialised tours for those who have an interest in specific aspects of the archaeology, history or geography of Rousay. As a half-Orcadian, I've always had an interest in these aspects of our islands, and my dissertation for my Masters in Archaeological Studies was centred around Rousay. As a former teacher, I enjoy answering questions - and if you are interested in family history as part of a bespoke tour, I will do my "homework" on your family connections before your tour!
If you are interested in any of these or other aspects of Rousay, please contact me at rousaytours@gmail.com and I will design a bespoke tour around your interests.