Rousay Heritage Centre

The Rousay Heritage Centre sits right by the pier on the island of Rousay, in a building shared with the ferry waiting room and toilets, so it is an easy first stop for families arriving or waiting for the boat home. Its displays tell the story of the island through archaeology, natural heritage, wildlife habitats, geology and the people who lived there. The panels pair photographs with plain text, and there is extra material on an infopoint and through QR codes for anyone wanting to read further. A display made by children from Rousay School shows what makes the island a good place to grow up, which gives younger visitors something to relate to. Rousay is known for its many prehistoric sites, so the centre works well as a starting point before heading out to see the tombs and brochs on foot, by bike or by car. The centre is a modest, indoor visit rather than an attraction in its own right, and it suits a short break between ferry sailings or a rainy spell on the island.