Wyre is one of Orkney’s smallest inhabited islands, but it is packed full of history. It has a special association with the Orkneyinga Saga because it was the home of Kolbein Hruga, a local chieftain. He has passed into folklore as the giant ‘Cubbie Row’ and his castle, survives as one of Orkney’s best medieval monuments (Cubbie Roo’s Castle).
The island’s important wildlife habitats include lowland fens, meadows, upland heath, crowberry heath, maritime heath, maritime grassland and salt marsh. These areas collectively support a variety of wildlife including breeding gulls, Arctic Terns, waders and wildfowl along with Otter, Moss Carder Bee and more.
