The first set of Rona local carriage stamps and accompanying first day
cover were issued on 1st May 2003. The 2003 stamps were
issued to celebrate the beginning of a new era in Rona’s history. Up
until this time, Rona was only accessible to intrepid boat or yacht owners, but in 2003
new visitor facilities and a network of paths were completed: this
symbolised our wish to welcome visitors to enjoy Rona’s unique
atmosphere.
Since 2003, a new issue of stamps and first
day cover has been produced in most years.
The stamps have varying face values, and in addition being
collectable items, they are required for local carriage from Rona to Portree
when you post a letter or postcard in our own island postbox. Mail
will be stamped with a Rona postmark before its journey across the sea.
All mail posted here requires a Royal Mail stamp to cover onward delivery
from Portree.
| 2003 | 2004 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 |
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A complete set of Rona stamps issued from 2003-present (and illustrated individually below) is available. The set includes a bonus postcard stiffener. Full set (ref FS1) £15.80 Full set including the 5 First Day Covers (FS+FDC1) £41.80 |
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2010
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The sheltered bay of Rona’s Acarseid Mhor, or Big Harbour, is a
popular destination for yachts from all over the world during
the summer season. Rona provides a pontoon, safe mooring
and facilities ashore to encourage access for all to one of
Scotland’s most beautiful anchorages. The 2010 local carriage stamps feature the variety of yachts that visit the island, and includes a panoramic stamp of the Dutch Drascombe Owners' Circle sailing in Big Harbour during their 2010 trip. set 5 x stamps (ref RS014)£3
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The Drascombe sailing boats also feature on the illustrated First Day Cover envelope which includes a full set of postmarked 2010 stamps and a colour postcard insert. 2010 First Day Cover (ref FDC2010) . |
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2009 The Rona Highland Cattle fold were introduced in 1996 providing the main mechanism in the re-generation of woodland on the island. The cattle bred successfully to form a hardy herd which became popular with visitors to Rona - especially the endearing new calves. Practically, the cattle were managed to churn the earth & create areas of bare soil and thereby new seed beds for trees to germinate. Their hooves were also effective in controlling bracken growth. Today, the woodland is thriving and with their work completed, 2009 saw the removal of the majority of the herd. Our 2009 stamp issue launched on 1st October, marks the successful conclusion of the project and features some of the animals from the past 13 years that became familiar characters on Rona.
set of 4 x
stamps (ref RS012) £2.20 |
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2009 issue First Day Cover |
An illustrated First Day cover envelope with full set of postmarked 2009 stamps, a Highland Cattle postcard stiffener (see below), and a bonus 2008 issue stamp.  |
photograph by Werner Karrasch |
The 2008 stamp features a
photograph of the Viking longboat
replica, 'Sea Stallion', that sailed from Denmark to Dublin in 2007 passing Rona en route.
The epic journey was part of an experimental archeological project run by
the Danish
Viking ship museum to learn
about longboat building, sailing methods and research Viking
life. The project has a great resonance with Rona:
the island owner Dorte Jensen is Danish, and one of Rona's most
enduring legends is that of the Danish Princess' grave.
The Sea Stallion's voyage passed Rona on the evening of Dorte's
annual visit on 23rd July 2007, and the evening of our island
ceilidh! We rushed to the highest point of the island to
see the boat sail down the inner sound. single stamp (ref RS011) £0.50 |
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2007 we launched our local carriage stamps to
commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Rona Lighthouse.
The lighthouse photographs featured on the stamps were taken on a
summers evening by Mike Webster and Calum McVay.
single stamp £1.00 (ref RS009) full sheet of 18 x £1 stamps £18.00 (ref2007x18) First Day Cover £5.00 (ref FDC2007) |
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Launched on the 1st of January 2006 to celebrate the fantastic range of wildlife which
inhabits Rona and the seas around the island. A set of 9 pictures with the otter as the centrepiece.
The stamps feature dolphins, the sea eagle, heron. greylag goose, red deer, seal and moth. Full sheet £5.00 (RS2006) |
2004
The second issue of Isle of Rona local carriage stamps was issued on the 1st of May 2004. They feature four tales and legends of Rona from original paintings by artist Rebecca Ellis www.becciellisart.co.uk . A first Day Cover is also issued featuring a new GR post-box presented to the Island by Royal Mail.
Full set £2.50 (ref RS2004)
First Day Cover (ref FDC2004)
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Church cave £0.25p (ref RS008) |
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The Rona lighthouse postman £0.50p (ref RS 007) |
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The Danish princesses grave £0.75p (ref RS 006)
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The widow's light £1.00 (ref RS 005)
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2003
The 2003 issue features four photographs of
enduring Rona landmarks and features.
A
Second Edition of the stamps was issued on the 1st of August 2003 to coincide with the delivery of our
new GR post box situated at the Pier at Big Harbour.
Full set of four stamps £2.50 (ref RS2003), Full page containing 4 sets
x 4 stamps £10 (ref RS2003x4)
First Day Cover £5.00 (ref FDC2003)
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Rona Highland Fold: Highland Cattle
were re-introduced to Rona in 1996. A pedigree
breeding herd is being built up with original stock
from the Ardbhan Fold, North Uist. The cattle are a valuable
asset to woodland regeneration of Rona and
compliment the traditional agricultural practice of grazing
cattle in the Highland woodlands. £0.25 (Ref RS001) |
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Caol Rona: Caol Rona is the
name of the narrow stretch of water between Rona and Raasay. An Tempull, a
ruined chapel & thought to be an early Christian monk's cell
overlooks the water, and is where the island's only formal
gravestone lies in the tiny enclosed cemetary. £0.50 (Ref RS002) |
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Church Cave:
On the East Coast of Rona is Church or Giant's Cave. Before the
Rona's church was built in 1878 the Islanders worshipped in
this cavern and it remained the
custom to have babies baptised here. The entrance is
like a large Gothic arch. A low stone pillar was used as a pulpit & beside it is a depression in the
stone fed by drips of water from the cave roof and this
served as a font. Rows of stones were used as pews by the congregation.
£0.75 (Ref RS003)
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South Rona Lighthouse:
The Lighthouse, at the north tip of the island, was built by David and Thomas
Stevenson and was brought into service in1857. The Lighthouse was attended by a boat stationed at Big Harbour,
making weekly runs to Portree for supplies, which were
then carried up by donkey.
At one time, Calum MacLeod BEM (Calum the Road) was Boatman-in-Charge,
lighthouse assistant
and also a Rona postman. The Lighthouse was automated in 1978. £1.00 (Ref RS004) |