Burwick, Orkney facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Burwick |
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 Approaching Burwick Ferry Terminal on the Pentland Venture, May 2011 |
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 Burwick
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| OS grid reference | ND436839 |
| Civil parish | |
| Council area | |
| Lieutenancy area | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | ORKNEY |
| Postcode district | KW17 |
| Dialling code | 01856 |
| Police | Northern |
| Fire | Highlands and Islands |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament |
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| Scottish Parliament |
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Burwick is a small, important harbour located on South Ronaldsay, one of the beautiful Orkney Islands in Scotland. It's special because it's the closest harbour in Orkney to the Scottish mainland. During the summer, a passenger ferry sails from Burwick to John o' Groats in Caithness, making it a busy spot for travellers.
What Does the Name "Burwick" Mean?
The name Burwick has a long history! It was first written down around the year 1225. Back then, it was called "Bardvik." This name comes from an old language called Old Norse. In Old Norse, bar vík means "bay of the extremity." This makes sense because Burwick is located near the southernmost tip of the island.
Discovering the Castle of Burwick
Just west of the harbour, you can find the remains of the Castle of Burwick. This wasn't a fancy castle like you might imagine. It was actually a strong, defended fort from the Iron Age. The Iron Age was a time in history when people started using iron tools and weapons.
What Was the Castle of Burwick Used For?
Experts believe the Castle of Burwick was not only a fort but also likely a place where monks lived. This means it might have been a secondary monastic settlement. It would have been a safe and important place for people living in the area long ago.
