Papa Westray

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Papa Westray also known as Papay, is one of the Orkney Islands in Scotland, with a population of currently seventy people.

According to tradition, in the 8th century, the Pictish King Nechtan attempted to rape a young woman from the island named Triduana, who in response gouged her eyes out. She was later rewarded by being made abbess of a nunnery in Restalrig near Edinburgh, and in due course, canonised as Saint Tredwell. A chapel was consecrated to her on Papa Westray and became a place of pilgrimage for people with eye complaints.

Current attractions on the island include Holland House with an associated folk museum and the Knap of Howar Neolithic farmstead (Historic Scotland) which is probably the oldest preserved house in northern Europe, dating from around 3500 BC. The homestead, which consists of two roughly rectangular stone rooms side by side, linked by an internal door, and with doors to the outside at the west end, is partly subterranean, and virtually complete to roof height. Also on the island is the 12th century parish church of St Boniface Kirk (recently restored; open in summer) with a carved Norse 'hogback' gravestone (probably also 12th century) in the churchyard. This stands on a substantial and largely unexcavated 9th century, or earlier, Pictish religious site - possibly including a bishop's residence. Remains of a heavily eroded broch can be seen on the shore.

Another ancient monument that can be visited is a well-preserved Neolithic chambered cairn on the small island of Holm of Papa Westray, a little east of Papay itself (and readily visible from the larger island). The long, stalled cairn, built of local stone, was once a communal burial place for the bones of an ancient community. It is protected by a modern roof and entered by a man-hole from above. Can be seen at any time, but visitors must arrange privately for a boat.

At the northern tip of the island lies North Hill (48m) the island's highest point and an RSPB nature reserve. Many sea birds breed on the island, including Arctic terns and Arctic skuas. It was one of the last breeding sites for the Great Auk, the last one being seen in 1813. The reserve is also home to the rare and tiny pink-flowered Scottish primrose Primula scotica.

Ferries sail from Papa Westray to Pierowall and Rapness on Westray, and Kirkwall on the Orkney Mainland. Planes fly from the island's airstrip to Kirkwall and to Westray, the latter route being the world's shortest scheduled flight.

Papa Westray is the birthplace of the Orcadian educator and man of letters, John D. Mackay.

Sources

Working Lunch, BBC Television [link]
Hamish Haswell-Smith, The Scottish Islands

External links

http://www.papawestray.co.uk Papa Westray
http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/n/papawestray/index.asp RSPB North Hill, Papa Westray

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