Wyre, Orkney
Wyre is one of the Orkney Islands, lying south-east of Rousay. It is and at its highest point. It is one of the smallest inhabited islands in the archipelago.
Orkney Ferries sail from the island to Tingwall on the Orkney Mainland, Egilsay and Rousay.
History
Wyre's history is still very apparent, and it has two ancient monuments maintained by Historic Scotland, Cubbie Roo's Castle and St. Mary's Chapel. Bishop Bjarni grew up on Wyre, and was the son of Kolbeinn Hrúga. Collins Encyclopaedia of Scotland says that BjarniThe poet Edwin Muir, known for his prominent part in the Scottish Renaissance, born in Deerness on Mainland, Orkney, spent much of his childhood on Wyre. In his autobiography he said of himself: "I'm an Orkneyman, a good Scandinavian", and commented that some of his happiest childhood years were spent here.
Cubbie Roo's Castle
Cubbie Roo's Castle was built in the mid-12th century by Norse landowner, Kolbeinn Hrúga. The stone fortification originally consisted of a small, central tower set in an oval enclosure, surrounded by two ditches, a stone wall and an earthen rampart. It is the oldest surviving medieval castle in Scotland and is mentioned in the Orkneyinga Saga as well as King Haakon's saga. Historic Environment Scotland established the site as a scheduled monument in 1929.St Mary's Chapel
In the centre of the island is the roofless, but largely complete, twelfth-century St Mary's Chapel. It is thought to have been built by a Norse chieftain, Kolbeinn hrúga or his son, Bjarni Kolbeinsson, Bishop of Orkney. The Romanesque style building was originally constructed of local rubble and lime mortar. During the late 19th century, the building was restored.Geography and geology
Like most of Orkney, Wyre is made up of Old Red Sandstone of the Devonian period.The island is low lying, and is shaped like an isosceles triangle on its side. It is separated from Rousay by Wyre Sound. Rousay is to the north, Gairsay to the south, Stronsay to the east, Mainland to the south west, and Shapinsay to the south east. Bu ties with Ae in Dumfries and Galloway as being Britain's shortest name for a settlement.