Known locally as Papay, Papa Westray offers everything you’d expect from one of Orkney’s smallest islands. Ancient history, wonderful wildlife, and a close-knit and vibrant community all combine to make this a very special place.
About Papa Westray
Perched at the north-western tip of our archipelago, Papay is only four-miles-long and around a mile-wide, making it one of Orkney’s smallest inhabited islands. With its coastline full of bays and beaches and its fertile farmland, it has long been an attractive place to live. The Neolithic buildings at the Knap of Howar and on the nearby Holm of Papay showcase a history stretching back nearly 6000 years, and remains of Iron Age and Viking sites have been discovered here too.
These days, the dynamic community considers the island anything but remote and has worked hard on projects over recent years to help keep its population growing. Tourism plays an important role, with many visitors keen to experience the world’s shortest scheduled flight or join one of the excellent island day tours.
Papay also plays a central role in the film adaptation of The Outrun, based on the best-selling memoir by Orcadian author, Amy Liptrot.
Useful information
- Food & drink
The Papay Shop should be your first stop for food and drink if you’re visiting the island. There are currently no eating out options in Papay.
The weekly island coffee morning is held at St Ann’s Kirk every Wednesday morning at 1030, with teas, coffees and home bakes on offer. There is a weekly pub at Beltane House, the island hostel, on Saturday nights from 8pm where visitors can join local folk and enjoy Orkney beers, whiskies, gins, and a selection of soft drinks.
Check the noticeboard in the shop for the latest information on opening times and other events.
- Shopping
The Papay Shop is that quintessential island store where you can find almost everything you need, and probably a lot more.
Owned and run by the community, the shop is based next door to the Papay Hostel at the heart of the island. You’ll find shelves full of fresh fruit and vegetables from the Papay garden, general groceries, frozen food, and a wide range of wines, beers and spirits. Local crafts and postcards can be bought here too.
Opening times are available on the Papa Westray website, but do phone ahead to double check on 01857 644 321.
- Fuel
Petrol and diesel are available at the Papay Shop – phone 01857 644 321 to check opening times and availability.
- Public toilets
There are two public toilets available in Papa Westray. At the school you’ll find one accessible unisex toilet, and at the island’s pier there’s one gents’ toilet, and one ladies’/accessible toilet.
Daily flights and ferries keep Papa Westray connected with the Orkney mainland and neighbouring Westray.
Getting to Papa Westray by sea
Orkney Ferries operates sailings from Kirkwall to Papa Westray on Tuesdays and Fridays (note – there is no ro-ro facility in Papa Westray, so if you have a vehicle it will have to be brought off the ferry by crane). Depending on the day and time of year, these sailings often call in past Westray or North Ronaldsay on either leg of the journey, so do check in advance if planning a trip.
There are daily passenger-only crossings between Gill Pier in Westray and Papa Westray, with a connecting bus service linking the ferry terminals in Westray.
Bicycles are accepted on both services. Book your ferry tickets online via the Orkney Ferries website, and contact the ferry company directly for more information on all its services.
Getting to Papa Westray by air
Loganair offers daily return flights between Papa Westray and Kirkwall, with most services connecting via Westray which offers the chance to experience the world’s shortest scheduled flight. Advance booking for all inter-isles flights in Orkney is essential, particularly during the summer months. You can view the timetable on the Loganair website. Contact the Loganair team at Kirkwall Airport for travel information and advice.
Getting around Papa Westray
Given its relatively small size, an ideal way to experience everything Papay has to offer is by foot or bike. It’s the perfect place to walk or cycle, with a gentle gradient and plenty of coastal scenery to take in.
At only four miles long and a mile wide, a car really isn’t needed to explore the island, and you can only bring a car on the twice-weekly ferry service from Kirkwall.
Car hire or taxis aren’t on offer here, and there is no cycle hire available either. You can bring your own bike on the ferry from Kirkwall and the passenger-only service from Westray.
Guided tours
One of the best ways to visit Papa Westray is in the company of the Papay Ranger, Jonathan Ford. He offers the excellent Papay Peedie Tours during the summer months (contact him directly for out-of-season bookings) which lasts around seven hours and takes in all the island highlights.
He also runs boat trips to the nearby Holm of Papay, with its ancient burial cairn. Jonathan or one of the other qualified skippers will bring you ashore on this uninhabited island before leaving you to explore at your leisure, safe in the company of the holm’s sheep, seals, and seabirds.
Advance booking for both the guided tours and the boat trips is essential.
You’ll be surprised at just how much there is to see and do in an island only four miles long.
For history buffs, there are the oldest stone houses in northern Europe, and for wildlife lovers, the local RSPB reserve offers seabirds, Scottish primrose, puffins, and much more. Browse our listings below.
Find your perfect home from home in Papa Westray.
