Editing Orkney (section)

===The North Isles===
[[File:NR sheep.jpg|thumb|right|[[North Ronaldsay sheep]] are a [[feral|semi-feral]] breed that has evolved to eat seaweed.<ref name=SheepCentre>{{cite web|url=http://www.sheepcentre.co.uk/sheep_breeds.htm|publisher=Seven Sisters Sheep Centre|work=Sheep Breeds|title=Sheep Breeds: North Ronaldsay|access-date=23 April 2009|archive-date=25 April 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090425140946/http://sheepcentre.co.uk/sheep_breeds.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Their unique genetic inheritance makes them of interest to conservationists.<ref name="Lawson et al. 2007.">{{cite journal| journal=Heredity |year=2007 |volume=99 |issue=6 |pages=620–631 |title= Genetic structure of European sheep breeds|doi=10.1038/sj.hdy.6801039|pmid=17700634 |last1=Lawson Handley |first1=L-J |last2=Byrne |first2=K. |last3=Santucci |first3=F. |last4=Townsend |first4=S. |last5=Taylor |first5=M. |last6=Bruford |first6=M. W. |last7=Hewitt |first7=G. M. |doi-access=free }}</ref>]]

The northern group of islands is the most extensive and consists of a large number of moderately sized islands, linked to the Mainland by ferries and by air services. Farming, fishing and tourism are the main sources of income for most of the islands.<ref name=HS/><ref name=OS/>

The most northerly is [[North Ronaldsay]], which lies {{convert|4|km|mi|0}} beyond its nearest neighbour, [[Sanday, Orkney|Sanday]]. To the west is [[Westray]], which has a population of 550. It is connected by ferry and air to [[Papa Westray]], also known as "Papay". [[Eday]] is at the centre of the North Isles. The centre of the island is [[moorland]] and the island's main industries have been peat extraction and [[limestone]] [[quarry]]ing.<ref name=HS/>

[[Rousay]], [[Egilsay]] and [[Gairsay]] lie north of the west Mainland across the [[Eynhallow Sound]]. Rousay is well known for its ancient monuments, including the Quoyness [[chambered cairn]] and Egilsay has the ruins of the only round-towered church in Orkney. [[Wyre, Orkney|Wyre]] to the south-east contains the site of Cubbie Roo's castle. [[Stronsay]] and [[Papa Stronsay]] lie much further to the east across the Stronsay Firth. [[Auskerry]] is south of Stronsay and has a population of only five. [[Shapinsay]] and its [[Balfour Castle]] are a short distance north of Kirkwall.<ref name=HS/>

Other small uninhabited islands in the North Isles group include [[Calf of Eday]], [[Damsay]], [[Eynhallow]], [[Faray]], [[Helliar Holm]], [[Holm of Faray]], [[Holm of Huip]], [[Holm of Papa]], [[Holm of Scockness]], [[Kili Holm]], [[Linga Holm]], [[Muckle Green Holm]], [[Rusk Holm]] and [[Sweyn Holm]].<ref name=HS/><ref name=OS/>

[[File:Hoy Lighthouse RLH.jpg|thumb|upright|alt= A tall white lighthouse with a brown stripe around the parapet and dark coloured lantern sits on a rocky shore. A white wall obscures the lower floor of grey stone buildings gathered around its base.|[[Hoy Lighthouse|Hoy High Lighthouse]] on [[Graemsay]]]]