Lighthouse (Richard Crossen c/o www.northernlight-uk.com)

Visitors Arrive In North Rona (Richard Crossen c/o www.northernlight-uk.com)

-- Where is it ? --

North Rona lies about 44 miles North of the Butt Of Lewis. The islands proper name is just Rona but it's commonly referred to as "North" Rona because of the other Rona, known as "South" Rona, which lies to the east of the Isle Of Skye. About 10 miles to the South West of Rona lies Sula Sgeir famous for it's gannet colony which is visited by the people of Lewis once a year in a ritual collection of guga (young gannets) for eating.

-- History --

The most northerly island of the Outer Hebrides ever to have been regularly inhabited, North Rona was lived on for many centuries. It is 44 miles north of the Butt of Lewis, further offshore than St Kilda, and had a flourishing community in 1549.

It seems to have been maintained at around 30 people with any excess moving to Lewis. But in 1680 the community was devastated by an invasion of rats and a raid by a passing ship which destroyed all the island foodstuffs. All the people died. A resettlement ended in disaster around 1695 in some sort of boating tragedy. After that it was only inhabited by a shepherd and family until 1844 when it was deserted.

Nowadays the only inhabitants of Rona are sheep and seals. The sheep are tended by farmers from Ness in Lewis and the seals are studied by visiting students.

-- Books --

Most books listed will be available from any on-line book seller such as Amazon. For books specifically on the Western Isles there is a bookshop in Stornoway called Baltic Bookshop which stocks most of the titles listed here.

Rona The Distant Island - Michael Robson Michael Robson who runs "The Islands Book Trust" in Lewis is the author of this book dedicated to the island of Rona. The only book we are aware of on this tiny but important island provides a fascinating insight into the life of the communities who over the centuries called this island their home.

-- DVD's & Videos --

None available to my knowledge....please contact lonely-isles if you know of any and we'll add them to the site !!

-- Links --

Rona Images - Small selection of pictures of North Rona by students studying the Seals which visit the island

NorthernLight Charters - Superb website which contains many excellent images of the Scottish Isles...including Rona. If you fancy the idea of visiting Rona and other lonely islands such as St Kilda then this is the site to check out. Runs regular charters throughout the summer months so weather permitting you could be on your way to Rona !!

Charles Tait Photography - Excellent selection of images from North Rona.

Sadly despite the importance of North Rona it's not an island which features greatly on the web. There are lot's of sites with passing references but in general the information out there is not great. The best source of reference on Mingulay is without doubt Michael Robsons book.

Lonely Isles will continue to attempt to find as much information as possible on all of the islands featured on our site. Please continue to return to this page with the assurance that if any worthwhile links do appear for North Rona then they will be added to the page.

Please email Lonely Isles if you know of any suitable links.