Westray

Westray has often been described as 'The Queen of the Isles'™ , the second largest of the North Isles and is in many ways a miniature Orkney. Westray can be 'done' in a day, either on foot, by bike, car or organised tour. It makes a lovely day out, but much better to take your time of course, and stay a day or two, or a week or two, there is so much to see and do.

Here the unique flavour of Orkney's island fringe can be experienced to the full. The exquisite workmanship and artistic talent of the ancient peoples encountered on other islands is illustrated by the Westray Stone, a rock carving found in a tomb at Pierowall, the island's largest settlement, in 1981. The spiral and lozenge design is the finest of its kind in Scotland and is on display at the Westray Heritage Centre in Pierowall).

Of the earliest Christian settlers the best evidence is again found in the lonely rock-stack or island hermitages such as at the Castle o' Burrian (also a marvelous place to see Puffins) and on the Holms of Aikerness. The Orkneyinga Sagas, the tales of the Viking occupation of Orkney paint a vivid picture of Westray during the early 12th century and Westray families operating from power bases at Rapness, Pierowall and Tuqouy played important roles in the political life of the isles.

Westray has an excellent range of accommodation, a craft trail round the galleries and studios, tourist information point and café, and a not to be missed Heritage Centre, which is next to the hotel in Pierowall (famed for its fish and chips).

1. St. Mary's Medieval Parish Church, Pierowall - This ruined church, in the centre of Pierowall, is one of two Middle Ages kirks in Westray. Most of the structure dates from the 17th century but the south wall is a remnant of the original 13th century structure.

2. Noltland Castle - This Z-Plan fortress was erected in the second half of the 16th century by Gilbert Balfour who held high office under Mary Queen of Scots. The castle was prepared to shelter Mary if she managed to escape from Loch Leven Castle.

3. Links of Noltland - Prehistoric Settlement & Wild Flowers: During the late 1970s an extensive area of settlement was excavated on the Links. Houses and middens, now covered over, were contemporary with Skara Brae (3000BC): The sand dune and dune pasture area supports Lyme Grass, Sand Sedge. Curved Sedge, Eyebright. Felwort and Cowslip.

4. Knowe of Queen's Howe - Deriving its name from the old Norse kvi 'enclosure' and haugr 'mound' this conspicuous mound probably contains a broch tower which is surrounded by extensive settlement. Stonework can be seen in the eroded shoreline. Nearby excavation has exposed a settlement pre-dating Skara Brae.

5. Lochs - Breeding Wildlife and Waders - Westray's three largest lochs, Burness, Saintear and Swartmill are rich in breeding wildfowl and waders. Mute swans breed in all three lochs and Swartmill provides good trout fishing.

6. Noup Head Lighthouse - This lighthouse was constructed in 1898 to warn ships off the North Shoal. It was the first lighthouse to use a system of mercury flotation in the revolving carriage. The light was automated in 1964.

7. Noup Head R.S.P.B. Reserve - The cliffs extend here to five miles and the northernmost 2 miles is the RSPB reserve. All the cliffs hold breeding seabirds and in terms of numbers, the colony is second only to St Kilda. A survey carried out in 1994 revealed 44500 Guilimots, 1600 Razorbills, 1100 Fulmars and 12700 Kittiwakes. Great views from Noup Head towards Rousay and the Orkney mainland.

8. The Gentlemens' Cave - This was a place of refuge for Orkney lairds who supported the 1745 Jacobite Uprising. The area can be visited but only under the guidance of a knowledgeable islander. This cave is said to be linked by an underground passage to Noltland Castle.

9. Northwest Coast and North Hill - The west-facing cliffs are very exposed to wind and salt spray. Thrift, Sea Plantain, and Buck Thorn Plantain are abundant. Immediately inland from the cliff's nest 100 pairs of Artic Skuas and 10 pairs of Great Skuas.

10. Heritage Centre - A permanent exhibition of Westray's history, flora and fauna can be seen here next to the Pierowall Hotel. In addition to the permanent exhibition, each year sees a new exhibition on a specific local topic. Local crafts can be purchased, but the centre does have limited opening hours. Please visit www.westrayheritage.co.uk for more information.

11. Fitti and Skea Hills - These 2 hills are home to various plants: Alpine Meadow, Least Willow, Alpine Bistort & Mountain Everlasting, which typically occur at high altitudes in mountain environments. You can also see The Primula Scotica, which flowers in May/July.

12. Bay of Kirbist - On this stormy beach the blue flowered Oysterplant and Scottish Lovage can be found

13. Knowe O' Burristae Broch - This large mound contains a broch tower partly destroyed by the sea. Part of the curved wall is still standing and the entrance to a mural cell or passage can be seen.

14. Tuquoy - Cross Kirk Medieval Parish Church and Norse Settlement including Heritage Walk - Cross Kirk is one of the best constructed churches in Orkney and a large Norse settlement lies to the west where massive walls are being exposed in the shoreline. Recent excavations have shown a settlement that reflect the importance of Westray in the 12th & 13th centuries.

15. Bay of Tuquoy - A localised area of salt marsh occurs at the head of this large sandy bay.

16. Castle o' Burrian & Stanger Head - This precipitous rock stack was the site of an early Christian hermitage and is possibly the best place in the isles to watch the Puffins and also hundreds of nesting fulmars. No attempt should be made to climb the stack and approach only with a qualified and experienced guide. Stanger Head is a favourite haunt of the entire range of Orkney's seabirds.

17. Holm of Faray - This is an important breeding site for Grey Seals. Each autumn large numbers concentrate here to mate, the pups being born in October.

18. Holm of Aikerness - A large skerry off the north side of Westray that has the foundations of a small chapel, believed to have been built for some nuns who were buried here. The Holm is also a good site to see Common Seals which pup in June.

19. West Westray Walk - An imposing coastal footpath, above high cliffs, where a vast seabird colony of international importance and colossal numbers can be viewed. Views south to the island of Rousay. Estimated time to complete = 3.5 hours

Ferry timetable

Orkney Ferries Winter/Spring Timetable 29 September 2009 until 1 May 2010 - 90kb

Flight timetable

Loganair Inter-island Timetable - 23rd December 2009 to 28th February 2010 - 63kb
Loganair Inter-island Timetable - 1st March to 27th March 2010 - 169kb
Loganair Inter-island Timetable - 28th March to 31st October 2010 - 212kb

Island guide

Download the island guide here - 323kb