Westray Island

Westray is an island in the Orkney archipelago off northern Scotland, part of the local authority area of Orkney Islands. It is known for coastal scenery, seabird colonies and post-medieval ruins.

The ruined 16th century Noltland Castle, coastal cliffs at Noup Head that attract seabirds, and the village of Pierowall, which contains the island’s main harbour and services. The island is compact enough for day walks and local driving routes of only a few kilometres between key points.

The island developed through Norse and later Scottish settlement and contains archaeological remains and historic structures from the medieval and post-medieval periods. Noltland Castle dates to the 16th century; other habitation sites on the island reflect its long use as a farming and fishing community.

Westray sits in the northern Orkney Islands, with regular ferry and air connections to other islands and to the Orkney mainland at Kirkwall. The landscape is low-lying with rocky coasts, farmland and coastal cliffs.

• Shortest inter-island flight: A scheduled inter-island flight linking this island and neighbouring Papa Westray covers about 2.8 kilometres and is one of the world’s shortest regular flights.
• Seasonal access and wildlife: Best time to visit is late spring through summer when ferries and tourist services run more frequently and seabird colonies are active.

What to See#

• Noltland Castle: A fortified 16th century ruin located near the village of Pierowall on the island; notable for its large curtain walls and irregular plan dating to the post-medieval period.
• Pierowall: The island’s main settlement and harbour, serving as the local services hub with ferry and air links to other Orkney islands.
• Noup Head: Prominent coastal headland and seabird colony on the island’s northern coast, with steep cliffs and walking routes along the shoreline.

Westray (Orkney) is served by Orkney Ferries and by scheduled flights from Kirkwall operated by Loganair. You can take a ferry from Kirkwall or other Orkney islands to Westray’s ferry terminal, or fly from Kirkwall Airport to Westray Airport (short flight of around 10-20 minutes). On arrival either at the ferry terminal or the small airport the main villages and sites are a short drive or walk from the landing points; local roads connect the island’s settlements.

• Plan travel connections (Loganair flights or Orkney Ferries) in advance and aim for early departures so you have time on-island-services are frequent but weather-dependent, and missed connections can disrupt an island day.
• Base yourself around Pierowall to access the main village and car ferry landing, and head to The Noup cliffs for seabird colonies and puffin viewing outside the peak tour times.