Odin's Eye Blog

University of the Highlands and Islands Institute for Northern Studies PhD researcher Niamh Mackenzie discusses how the continued maintenance of the unique North Ronaldsay drystane dyke can be seen as intangible cultural heritage in the booklet, ‘Making Sense of the North Ronaldsay Sheep Dyke’. The booklet is edited and written by Margaréta H. Pintér (University of Copenhagen, The Saxo Institute).

The island of North Ronaldsay is the northern most island of Orkney and is known for its characteristic seaweed eating sheep, bird observatory and a drystone wall or dyke that encircles the whole island.

The North Ronaldsay Sheep Dyke encircles the island and is estimated to be 13 miles long, although the precise length of the structure is unknown. It was built to keep the sheep on the beach and is maintained by the local islanders and volunteers who travel from all over the world to help keep the dyke in fine fettle at the North Ronaldsay Sheep Festival.

In the past each croft was responsible for maintaining a specific length of dyke. That is now impossible due to the depopulation experienced in the island, but dyke maintenance, sheep keeping and the annual Sheep Festival remains a deeply communal affair.

In the section entitled ‘Traditional Craft’, Niamh discusses the fact that “the process of drystane dyking is a manual skill tied to a creative process that requires synergy between the craftsperson, their material and the environment in which it is practiced.” It is an example of living heritage that continues to evolve as the island and its community evolves and adapts to new challenges.

The North Ronaldsay Sheep Festival runs from 30th July 2025 until Monday 4th August and is now fully booked – early booking is recommended for next year !

Thanks to Margaréta H. Pintér (University of Copenhagen, The Saxo Institute) for the images and permission to reproduce her booklet. The booklet was made possible by support from the North Ronaldsay Sheep Festival.

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