Orkney > Westray and Papa Westray

Westray, the ‘Queen O The Isles’ and it’s neighbour, Papa Westray, though remote are both extremely rewarding islands to visit, because of the wealth of sites to visit. Westray is an island rich with farmland, and has beautiful beaches and seabird cliffs to the North. The Castle o’ Burrian is also known as the best place in Orkney to get close to a puffin (from April to July) or to see the rare flower Primula Scotica.

Papa Westray is a smaller island which can be reached by boat or plane (the flight from Westray is the shortest scheduled flight in the world – taking only two minutes from take-off to landing) Here you will find remote and beautiful beaches, superb walks and at the Knap of Howar, the oldest surviving houses in Northern Europe.

Sites in Westray worth a visit include:

1. Noup Head – an impressive cliff in the north west of Westray, Noup Head teams with seabirds. It is also a good location for seal spotting and has an impressive lighthouse.

2. The Castle O’ Burrian – a short walk from the car park to the rock stack at the Castle of Burrian will put you merely metres from Orkney and Shetland’s most famous birds - puffins. These live in grassy burrows, but only stay in the islands for a short period of time – between April and July.

3. Pierowall – the main village in Westray curves round Pierowall bay and has plenty to occupy the visitor, from a swimming pool to craft shops to superb (fresh) fish and chips!

4. Noltland Castle - a 16th Century castle built (but not finished) by Gilbert Balfour. Noltland Castle is found close to Pierowall and is a great building to explore.

Sites in Papa Westray worth a visit include:

5. The Knap of Howar – two oblong houses, which are the oldest in Northern Europe, outdating even Skara Brae. Unlike Skara Brae, the visitor can enter the buildings and get a feel for life between 3700 and 2800BC.

6. St Boniface Kirk – a recently refurbished church from the 12th Century, St Boniface Church is a short walk from the Knap of Howar.

7. Fowl Craig – low seabird cliffs in the north of Papa Westray, which are the site of the killing of the last Great Auk in Britain.

Map of Westray and Papa Westray

Booking a ferry to Orkney directly with NorthLink Ferries on www.northlinkferries.co.uk is cheaper than booking with another website and we never charge for any amendments made to your booking!

Getting to Westray and Papa Westray
Travel from Scrabster to Stromness with NorthLink Ferres. Once docked, take the A965 for 15 miles to Kirkwall. From there you can either take a North Isles ferry with Orkney Ferries from the harbour front (on Harbour Street) or take an islander plane from Kirkwall Airport (taking the A960 for 4 miles).
Alternatively, travel from Aberdeen or Lerwick to Kirkwall with NorthLink Ferries. Once docked at Hatston, turn left at the first junction to head towards Kirkwall town centre. From there you can either take a North Isles ferry with Orkney Ferries from the harbour front (on Harbour Street) or take an islander plane from Kirkwall Airport (taking the A960 for 4 miles).

Top tips
• Try and catch a weekend dance in Westray or Papa Westray - traditional Scottish dances that have died out elsewhere are still danced in the Isles.
• The Castle of Burrian is known as the best place in Orkney to see puffins - you can get as close as a few metres away from these comical birds if you are quiet and do not make any sudden moves.

Westray and Papa Westray Businesses and Services

Westraak website