Humans first made a
Neolithic settlement at
Rinyo. Other remnants include
Bronze Age burnt mounds,
Iron Age crannogs and
brochs (the highest density anywhere in Scotland: three within of coastline),
Viking boat burials, remains of a
medieval church and a
stately home at
Trumland. Over 100 archaeological sites have been identified. Only a small fraction have been excavated and characterized. The most spectacular of the sites is the complex of
Midhowe Broch and
Midhowe Chambered Cairn.
Blackhammer Chambered Cairn,
Taversoe Tuick, and
Knowe of Yarso chambered cairn are important tombs. Rousay placenames reflect its
Norse heritage. 'Hrólfs-øy' or 'Hrolfsey' was based on the male name 'Hrolf' (Rolf).
Hugh Marwick's work showed the name developing from 'Rollesay' in the 14th century, through 'Rolsay' in the 15th, and 'Rowsay' in the early 16th, with the spelling 'Rousay' first recorded in 1549. Most Rousay people earned their living from farming and/or fishing. In the 19th century, records reflect tradespeople supplying the needs of a rural community: blacksmiths and joiners, shoemakers and shopkeepers, with women making dresses and
plaiting straw. Throughout the century, Rousay's landlords demanded high rents from
crofters, many of whom became homeless in a series of clearances along the western coast, ordered by landowner George William Traill in the 1820s and 1830s. Traill's nephew
General Sir Frederick Traill-Burroughs inherited much of the island and bought more. Traill-Burroughs built a large house at
Trumland, designed by
David Bryce of Edinburgh. From 1870 to 1883, improvements transformed the island: Trumland pier, island schools, a public market, the first steamship service, a post office, and the first resident doctor. He was known locally as "the little general" as he was a man of short stature. Poet
Edwin Muir recalled in a memoir of his childhood seeing the little general walking around his estates. ==Education==