Holiday apartment in Westray: Castles, cliffs and island history

Westray combines historic buildings, archaeological traces, open Atlantic coastline, seabirds, galleries and local produce. On the island, the range extends from a Z-shaped castle and Romanesque churches to walking trails, an unusual short flight and daily connections to Papa Westray.

Culture

Noltland Castle is a Z-shaped castle built from 1560 onwards by Sir Gilbert Balfour. The main building has 71 gun loops arranged in rows. The castle is also of national importance for understanding domestic and military architecture of the 16th and 17th centuries. Among the older traces on Westray is Links of Noltland, a well-preserved agricultural settlement dating from about 3300 BC to 800 BC.

Westside Church is a roofless medieval church with an associated cemetery. The oldest part probably dates from the 12th century. Its national importance lies in the fact that it is one of several surviving small Romanesque churches in Orkney. Pierowall Church was first built in the 13th century and extensively rebuilt in the 17th century. The old cemetery lies in an area that has been inhabited at least since the Norse settlement of Orkney.

The Westray Heritage Centre is wheelchair accessible in all public areas and serves as an information centre for Westray. Information about walks and other island activities is available at reception. The Centre also displays a comprehensive collection of fish and plant fossils as well as geological finds, all collected on Westray. Another notable trace of early history is the Westray Wife, the first Neolithic representation of a human figure found in Scotland.

The Westray Gallery presents works by local artists. Near the airfield, the Wheeling Steen Gallery displays works by local artist Edwin Rendall.

Nature

The Westray West Coast Walk follows Westray's Atlantic-facing cliffs. Along the way are rock formations shaped by the sea and seabird colonies. The route also leads to Fitty Hill, the highest point on the island, from where the view extends as far as the Shetland Islands.

Noup Head Lighthouse stands at Noup Head and is a Stevenson lighthouse dating from 1898. The lighthouse is situated almost 80 metres above sea level. Numerous seabirds can be seen below, including puffins in summer as well as kittiwakes, razorbills and guillemots.

Connections

The Westray Bus operates as a hail-and-ride service; passengers can board and alight along the route. Orkney Ferries operates daily return sailings between Kirkwall and Westray. Daily crossings exclusively for passengers also connect Gill Pier on Westray with Papa Westray. The scheduled flight between Westray and Papa Westray normally takes about 90 seconds.

Experiences

Westraak Tours offers guided tours of Westray's highlights, including Noltland Castle and Noup Head. Paddling is possible at Grobust Beach. The Westray Golf Club course offers sea views and can be reached on foot from Pierowall in about ten minutes. It also has the longest hole in Great Britain.

Local produce

Pierowall Fish Ltd sells home-smoked salmon and scallops. Westray Chutney makes chutneys and preserves from locally grown vegetables and other ingredients. In addition to the historic and scenic sites, the island's own produce is therefore also a focus.

Further destinations

Stromness, Finstown, Orphir, Hackness, Burray Village, Kirkwall, Orkney, Tingwall

To the main travel overview: Orkney Islands.