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'Papa Westray' also known as 'Papay', is one of the Orkney Islands in Scotland, with a population of 65 at the time of the 2001 Census, now increased to 70 people.^[3] The soil is very fertile Keay, J. & Keay, J. (1994) ''Collins Encyclopaedia of Scotland''. London. HarperCollins., and this has long been a draw to the island.
Current historical attractions on the island include Holland House with an associated folk museum and the Knap of Howar Neolithic farmstead (Historic Scotland).

Contents

Infrastructure

Wildlife

History

References

See also

External links

Infrastructure

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

Wildlife

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''.

History

The Knap of Howar Neolithic farmstead (Historic Scotland; accessible at all times) which is probably the oldest preserved house in northern Europe, dating from around 3500 BCKeay, J. & Keay, J. (1994) ''Collins Encyclopaedia of Scotland''. London. HarperCollins.. 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. Examples of the round bottomed Unstan ware have been found here, and provided the key to dating the settlement.Keay, J. & Keay, J. (1994) ''Collins Encyclopaedia of Scotland''. London. HarperCollins.
According to tradition, in the 8th century, the Pictish King Nechtan attempted to seduce a young woman from the island named ''Triduana'', who in response gouged her own eyes out. She later became abbess of a nunnery at Restalrig, now part of Edinburgh, and was 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.
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. Early Christian carved stones found at this site are on display in Tankerness House Museum, Kirkwall and the Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh.
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. This can be seen at any time of day, but visitors must arrange privately for a boat through the local Co-Op.
Papa Westray is the birthplace of the Orcadian educator and man of letters, John D. Mackay.

References

1. Ordnance Survey
2. Anderson, Joseph (Ed.) (1893) ''Orkneyinga Saga''. Translated by Jón A. Hjaltalin & Gilbert Goudie. Edinburgh. James Thin and Mercat Press (1990 reprint). ISBN 0-901824-25-9
3. ''Working Lunch'', BBC Television

See also

List of Orkney 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