Things to do in Westray
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Pierowall Hotel
The heart of this island community, the local pub is famous throughout Orkney for its popular fish and chips – the fish is caught fresh by the hotel’s boats and whatever has turned up in the day’s catch is displayed on the blackboard. There are also some curries available, but the sea is the way to go here.
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Noltland Castle
A half-mile west of Pierowall stand the ruins of this tower house, built by Gilbert Balfour, an aide to Mary, Queen of Scots. The castle bristles with no fewer than 61 shot holes, part of the defences of the deceitful Balfour, who plotted to murder Cardinal Beaton and, after being exiled, the king of Sweden.
Head upstairs and look out for the bread oven in the kitchen and the secret compartments in the windowsills. If the castle is locked, you can ask for the key at the farmhouse across the road.
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Orkney Faerie Museum & Gallery
Set in a converted old crofthouse, Orkney Faerie Museum & Gallery showcases Orcadian folklore and legend with tales of faeries, wee folk, trows and mermaids.
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Westray Heritage Centre
This heritage centre has displays on local history and interesting nature dioramas, as well as archaeological finds, including the famous 5000-year-old ‘Westray Wife’. Also known as the 'Orkney Venus', this 4cm-tall sandstone figurine was found during a dig at the nearby Links of Noltland; it's the oldest depiction of the human form yet found in Scotland, and possibly in Britain.
The Links of Noltland, between Grobust beach and Noltland Castle, has recently emerged as one of the most important prehistoric sites in Scotland. Like Skara Brae, it's a Neolithic village buried in the sand, and threatened by erosion. Archaeologial excavations will continue for several years…
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Westraak
Runs informative and engaging trips around the island, covering everything from Viking history to puffin mating habits.
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Wheeling Steen Gallery
Situated about 2 miles north of Pierowall near the airfield, this appealing gallery showcases the photographs and paintings of local farmer-turned artist Edwin Randall, and crafts created by his daughter. There's a cafe too, serving tea, coffee, hot chocolate and cakes.
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West Coast Walk
One of the best coastal walks in Orkney begins at Kirbest farm car park and leads north for 5.5 miles to Noup Head through increasingly dramatic seacliff scenery (allow three hours one way). Pick up a copy of the Westray Walking Guide leaflet from Kirkwall tourist office or the Haff Yok Cafe.
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Tulloch's
Well-stocked grocery and general store, also home to the village post office.
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Noup Head
The RSPB reserve at Noup Head, at the northwestern tip Westray, is a dramatic area of seacliffs which attracts vast numbers of breeding seabirds from April to July. There are big puffin colonies, plus fulmars, skuas and other familiar species, and you can often see dozens of seals hauled out on the sloping skerries to the north of the headland.
You can walk to Noup Head along the clifftops from a parking area near Bis Geos hostel, passing the impressive chasm of Ramni Geo, and return via the lighthouse access road (4 miles, allow two to three hours).
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Haff Yok Cafe
Pierowall's only cafe is the village's social hub and information centre, offering a selection of homebaked cakes, decadent Westray tablet (Scottish candy made with sugar and butter) and cups of tea served in granny's best china. There's soup and sandwiches for lunch, and a selection of cards, gifts, books and maps for sale. ('Haff yok' is local slang for a labourer's tea break.)
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Castle O'Burrian
Just 1.5 miles north of the ferry pier, a cute little wooden signpost marked 'puffins' points the way to Castle O'Burrian, the most accessible puffin-watching spot in Orkney. A 10-minute walk from the road leads to a clifftop view of the puffin colony on the sea stack's grassy summit; the birds are in residence from late April to August.
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