Ronas Hill

Nearest town:
Lerwick (45km SE)
OS reference:
HU305835
OS sheets:
1, 3
Latitude:
60° 32' 3.48 N
Longitude:
1° 26' 38.91 W
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Ronas Hill

thelonious
thelonious Sep 22, 2014

22/09/2014 – The summit of Ronas Hill, the highest point on Shetland, is home to a quite fantastic chambered cairn. Starting from Collafirth Hill, the walk to the summit of Ronas Hill takes about an hour not including the stops to look at the amazing view all round. It was misty this morning on the hill but the early morning sun shone through now and then. The hill is covered in the most brilliant pink granite boulders. The chambered cairn at the summit is made from these boulders and the pink colour of the cairn is striking in the sunlight. Still in good condition with its passage and chamber intact. It’s a hands and knees job to get down the short passage but the chamber is a nice size. The sun lit up the passage from the SE for a time whilst we were there. This one is a must visit. The walk alone is great on the hill but the cairn and its location in the landscape is just brilliant.

Folklore

Ronas Hill
Chambered Cairn
Rhiannon
Rhiannon Feb 23, 2011

In the popular mind [standing stones] are usually attributed to the giant race, of whom a faint tradition lingers. It was the giant of Roenis Hill who, in his combat with the giant of Papa Stour, threw a stone at his opponent in the distant island, which fell short and is now known as the Standing Stone of Busta. Similar tales are told of other standing stones.

From p91 of ‘Shetland Folk-lore’ by John Spence (1899).

Ronas / Ronies Hill (the highest point on the island?) is crowned by a chambered cairn. Surely a good spot for a giant to live?

Sites within 20km of Ronas Hill

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