South Ronaldsay Certificated Locations

South Ronaldsay is the closest of the Orkney Islands to the Scottish mainland, as it’s just a 6.5-mile hop across the Pentland Firth from John O’Groats.

The heathland, cliffs, beaches and lochs provide diverse habitats for numerous birds, making it the perfect place to go birdwatching.

Common and grey seals are also easy to spot along the coastline, although otters are harder to see, but their footprints in the sand are a giveaway to their whereabouts.

For those who like to explore the water, the diving at Scapa Flow, at the north-west of the island, is world-class. There is clear visibility of a sunken fleet of German ships, as well as plenty of marine life.