Can I visit Cubbie Roo’s Castle on a day trip from Rousay?
Yes. Wyre can be a half-day ferry outing, with Cubbie Roo’s Castle roughly half a mile from the pier. St Mary’s Chapel and the community heritage centre are nearby. Choose your outward and return sailings first, then allow time for the walk and the places you want to visit.
A Norse stronghold on Wyre
According to the Orkneyinga Saga, the Norse lord Kolbein Hruga built his stronghold here around 1145. Historic Environment Scotland describes it as Scotland’s earliest documented medieval stone castle. Another saga records a siege in 1231.
In Orcadian folklore, Kolbein became associated with the giant Cubbie Roo. There’s more about him in the ferry visitor guide to Wyre.
The castle ruins and St Mary’s Chapel
Low stone ruins stand on a hill, with the ground floor of a compact tower still visible. The tower measures roughly eight metres square, with walls around two metres thick. Ditches and ramparts help show how the castle was defended. The official castle record describes the remains and later additions.
You can still make out the tower’s shape and where the upper rooms once stood.
Nearby St Mary’s Chapel
St Mary’s Chapel is just downhill. Built in the later 1100s, it now stands without a roof. Its builder may have been Kolbein or his son Bjarni, later Bishop of Orkney. The round arch between nave and chancel reflects its Norse Romanesque architecture. The cemetery remains in use. There is more in HES’s chapel history, with visiting details below.
Admission, access and the walk from the pier
The site is free to visit and open year-round, around half a mile from Wyre Pier. The approach and ground around the ruins are uneven.
Walking on Wyre
Choose the 2.4 km return walk to the castle and chapel, or the longer 4.2 km return route towards Cavit and the south shore. Both start at the ferry pier.
Start: Wyre ferry pier. The route description is below. View the starting area in OpenStreetMap.
Start: Wyre ferry pier
- From the pier. Follow the road inland past Rusness towards the heritage centre.
- Castle and chapel. The short branch leads to St Mary’s Chapel and Cubbie Roo’s Castle. Return to the pier for the 2.4 km walk.
- Longer option to Cavit. For the 4.2 km walk, continue past the heritage centre on the road and track towards Cavit and the south shore, returning the same way.
Wyre’s community heritage centre
The Wyre Community & Heritage Centre is a short walk from the pier. The displays tell you more about Wyre, from its Norse history to farming and the families who have lived here. The centre has a public toilet and self service tea and coffee (please leave a donation).
A day on Wyre
There’s time for the castle, nearby chapel and heritage centre, with a wander along the quiet roads in between. Wyre is only about two miles long and one mile wide.
There is no shop on the island. The island guide on Orkney.com has more about its setting and facilities.
Back on Rousay, both The Cottage and The Farmhouse have sea views and their own kitchens. A visit to Wyre fits well with a few days exploring Rousay’s ancient sites.
A few more questions
Can I visit Wyre for the day from Rousay?
Yes, you can book your Rousay–Wyre sailing here on the Orkney Ferries website.
Do I need to take a car to Cubbie Roo’s Castle?
Absolutely not. Wyre is very walkable and you don’t need a car. Cubbie Roo’s Castle is around half a mile from the pier.
Is Cubbie Roo’s Castle free to visit?
Yes.
Why is the castle called Cubbie Roo’s Castle?
Its name is associated with the Norse lord Kolbein Hruga, who became the giant Cubbie Roo in local folklore. You may also see the spelling Cobbie Row’s Castle in historic records.
Find out more
From Stay Rousay. Practical information checked 17 September 2026. The links go to the operators and local organisations for the latest details.