What is "harray"

Harray ( Old Norse: Herað - cf Harris) is a former parish on Mainland, Orkney, now merged with Birsay. It has the unique distinction of being the only landlocked parish on the islands; however, it is next to the freshwater Loch of Harray.

Harray has many mounds or howes from the Old Norse word '' Haugr'' meaning mound or hill. Excavations have revealed burial cist in the largest mound as well as a Bronze Age building nearby.

Harray was merged with Birsay to form a united parish in the north west of Mainland. It extends southward from the south east of Birsay Parish, and is about six miles by four in extent. It is mostly flat and swampy.