St Margaret's Hope

St Margaret's Hope, known locally as The Hope, is a village in the Orkney Islands, situated off the north-east coast of Scotland. It is Orkney's third largest settlement, after Kirkwall and Stromness. It has a population of about 550, and is situated at the head of a sheltered bay at the north end of South Ronaldsay, off Water Sound. It is South Ronaldsay's main village, and is named after Margaret of Norway who died there. The village has a primary school, a small blacksmith's museum, a number of shops and restaurants including the noteworthy Creel Inn. A ferry service runs to Gills Bay on the Scottish mainland three times daily, with an average time of an hour one-way.

Related Topics:
Orkney Islands - Scotland - Kirkwall - Stromness - South Ronaldsay - Water Sound - Creel Inn - Gills Bay

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

It is also known for its annual Boys' Ploughing Match, an local tradition where young boys plough in the sands at the nearly Sand of Wright, and young girls wear traditional 'horse' costumes.

Related Topics:
Boys' Ploughing Match - Sand of Wright

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~