Wyre, Orkney facts for kids
| Norse name | Vígr |
|---|---|
| Meaning of name | spear head |
 Wyre, viewed from Cubbie Roo's Castle, with the ruined chapel and burial ground visible. |
|
| OS grid reference | HY445262 |
| Coordinates | 59°07′N 2°58′W / 59.12°N 2.97°W |
| Physical geography | |
| Island group | Orkney Islands |
| Area | 311 ha (1.20 sq mi) |
| Area rank | 85 |
| Highest elevation | 32 m (105 ft) |
| Administration | |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Country | Scotland |
| Council area | Orkney |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 5 |
| Population density | 0.62 people/km2 |
| Largest settlement | Hawn |
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|
| References | www.aroundrousay.co.uk/wyre.shtml |
Wyre is a small island in the Orkney Islands of Scotland. It's also been called Viera and Veira in the past. It's located southeast of another island called Rousay. Wyre is about 311 ha (1.20 sq mi) (that's like 768 football fields!) and its highest point is 32 m (105 ft) tall. It's one of the smallest islands where people live in the Orkney group.
You can travel to Wyre by Orkney Ferries. These ferries connect Wyre to Tingwall on the main island of Orkney, and also to the islands of Egilsay and Rousay.
Contents
A Look into Wyre's Past
Wyre has a rich history that you can still see today. The island is home to two very old monuments. These are Cubbie Roo's Castle and St. Mary's Chapel. Both are cared for by Historic Scotland.
A famous person named Bishop Bjarni grew up on Wyre. He was the son of a powerful Norse landowner, Kolbein Hruga. You'll learn more about Kolbein Hruga when we talk about Cubbie Roo's Castle.
Bishop Bjarni was a talented poet. He wrote the only important Norse poem that has survived from the Orkney islands. It's called Lay of the Jomsvikings. He also helped make Earl Rognvald a saint.
The poet Edwin Muir (1887–1959) spent a lot of his childhood on Wyre. He was born in Deerness on the Orkney Mainland. Edwin Muir was an important part of the Scottish Renaissance, a time when Scottish art and culture became very popular. He once said, "I'm an Orkneyman, a good Scandinavian." He remembered his time on Wyre as some of his happiest childhood years.
Cubbie Roo's Castle: Scotland's Oldest Castle
Cubbie Roo's Castle is the oldest surviving medieval castle in Scotland. It was built in the mid-12th century. A Norse landowner named Kolbeinn hrúga built it.
The castle was first a small tower in the middle of an oval area. This area was protected by two ditches, a stone wall, and an earth mound. This amazing old castle is mentioned in two important old stories: the Orkneyinga Saga and King Haakon's saga. Today, Historic Environment Scotland protects the site as a scheduled monument.
St. Mary's Chapel: An Ancient Church
In the center of Wyre, you'll find St. Mary's Chapel. It doesn't have a roof anymore, but most of its walls are still standing. This chapel was built in the 12th century.
People believe that Kolbeinn hrúga or his son, Bjarni Kolbeinsson, built it. Bjarni later became the Bishop of Orkney. The chapel was built in a style called Romanesque. It was made from local stones and lime mortar. In the late 1800s, the building was repaired.
Wyre's Landscape and Rocks
Like most of the Orkney islands, Wyre is made of Old Red Sandstone. This type of rock formed during the Devonian period, millions of years ago.
The island is mostly flat. It looks like a triangle lying on its side. Wyre is separated from Rousay by a narrow stretch of water called Wyre Sound. Rousay is to the north. Gairsay is to the south. Stronsay is to the east. The Orkney Mainland is to the southwest. Shapinsay is to the southeast. Wyre shares a special record with a place called Ae in Dumfries and Galloway. They both have the shortest names for a settlement in Britain!
Amazing Wildlife of Wyre
Wyre is a great place to see wildlife. You can often spot grey seals and common seals around the island. It's also home to many different kinds of birds. These include divers and various types of ducks.
Wyre Sound: A Special Underwater World
Wyre Sound is the water that separates Wyre from Rousay. The tides here are very strong. This creates perfect conditions for something called maerl beds to grow. Maerl is a type of red seaweed that looks like coral.
These maerl beds are like underwater neighborhoods. They provide a safe home for many sea creatures. You can find peacock worms and different kinds of sponges living there. Small fish, shrimps, gobies, and crabs also make their homes in the maerl beds.
Since 2014, Wyre Sound has been a special protected area. It's called a Nature Conservation Marine Protected Area (NCMPA). This means that certain fishing activities are not allowed. For example, dredging, beam trawling, demersal trawling, and Seine fishing are all forbidden. This helps protect the delicate maerl beds and all the animals that live there.
Images for kids
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Wyre, viewed from Cubbie Roo's Castle, with the ruined chapel and burial ground visible.
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Cubbie Roo's Castle
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St. Mary's Chapel
See also
In Spanish: Wyre (Orkney) para niños
