Scotland Guide
Orkney and Shetland
Westray
Although exposed to the full force of the Atlantic weather in the far northwest of Orkney, Westray shelters one of the most tightly knit and prosperous island communities. Old Orcadian families still dominate every aspect of life, giving the island a strong individual character.
The main village and harbour is PIEROWALL in the north, a good eight miles from the Rapness ferry terminal on the southernmost tip of the island. The island's most impressive ruin is the colossal sandstone hulk of Noltland Castle, which stands above the village half a mile west up the road to Noup Head. This Z-plan castle, which is pockmarked with over seventy gun loops, was begun around 1560 by Gilbert Balfour, a shady character from Fife, who was Master of the Household to Mary, Queen of Scots, and was implicated in the murder of her husband Lord Darnley.
The northwestern tip of Westray rises up sharply, culminating in the dramatic sea cliffs of Noup Head. During the summer months the guano-covered rock ledges are packed with over 100,000 nesting sea birds, primarily guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes and fulmars, with puffins as well – a truly awesome sight, sound and smell. For a close view of the puffins, head for Castle o' Burrian, a sea stack in the southeast of the island.