Papa Westray
Island Small Orkney island with archaeological sites and wildlife
A tiny Orkney island, Papa Westray hosts the Neolithic Knap of Howar, strong seabird colonies and the world’s shortest scheduled flight to nearby Westray; visitors arrive for archaeology and birdwatching.
Papa Westray is a small inhabited island in the Orkney archipelago of Scotland known for its archaeological sites and rural character. It is sparsely populated and retains strong links to Neolithic and Norse heritage.
Prehistoric monuments including the well-preserved Knap of Howar Neolithic dwellings, coastal birdlife and small local museums or interpretation points. The island is reached by ferry or by the short scheduled flight from neighbouring Westray.
The island has been occupied since the Neolithic period, as evidenced by the Knap of Howar, and later saw Norse settlement and traditional crofting communities through the medieval and modern periods. Archaeological remains attest to long-term human habitation.
Part of the Orkney Islands off the north coast of mainland Scotland, Papa Westray lies a short sea crossing from neighbouring Westray and is connected to the wider archipelago by ferry and air services.
- Shortest scheduled flight: Home to the world's shortest scheduled airline flight between Papa Westray and Westray, a route of about 1.7 miles that typically lasts under two minutes.
What to See #
- Knap of Howar: The Knap of Howar is a pair of stone-built Neolithic farmhouses on the island, dated to around 3500-3100 BC and among the oldest preserved stone houses in northwestern Europe.
How to Get to Papa Westray #
Papa Westray is one of the Orkney islands and has no road link to the Scottish mainland. The island is served by Loganair scheduled flights from Kirkwall (and by the extremely short inter‑island flight between Westray and Papa Westray). Orkney Ferries operates boat connections to Westray from Kirkwall, and onward connections to Papa Westray are available; schedules vary seasonally. The Papa Westray airstrip and ferry landing are a short walk into the main settlement (generally under 10 minutes).
Tips for Visiting Papa Westray #
- Check Loganair's Westray-Papa Westray timetable and book ahead if you want the famous short flight (often under a few minutes) or need a guaranteed return-schedules are limited and change seasonally.
- Plan visits in late spring and summer for long daylight and best chances to see seabirds and the island's archaeology; ferry services are also seasonal, so confirm crossings before you travel.
- Don't expect many facilities: services are minimal, so coordinate transfers and accommodation in advance and use a local contact to arrange guided walks to sites like the island's Neolithic remains.
Best Time to Visit Papa Westray #
The best time to visit Papa Westray is late spring to early autumn (May-September) when temperatures are mild and daylight is longest.
Weather & Climate near Papa Westray #
Papa Westray's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with cool summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 3°C to 15°C. Abundant rainfall (1111 mm/year), wettest in November.
January
January is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 3°C. Significant rainfall (117 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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February
February is the coolest month with highs of 7°C and lows of 3°C. Regular rainfall (91 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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March
March is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 3°C. Significant rainfall (104 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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April
April is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (68 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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May
May is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 12°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (55 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (60 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (74 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 13°C and lows of 9°C. Significant rainfall (107 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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October
October is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 7°C. Significant rainfall (126 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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November
November is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 5°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (135 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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December
December is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (124 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
