Situated approximately 2 miles from Pierowall village, Seaquoys enjoys panoramic views over Ouse beach to the south and the island of Papa Westray to the east.

On a clear day, Sanday can be seen when looking eastwards across the bay.

Visit Seaquoys website.

Enquiries

[contact-form-7]Mrs Karen Groat
Cranfield
Cannigall Road
Kirkwall
Orkney KW15 1SX

01856 871169

Enquiries

[contact-form-7]Papay Co-op
Beltane House
Papa Westray
Orkney

01857 644321

Enquiries

[contact-form-7]Papay Co-op
Beltane House
Papa Westray
Orkney

01857 644321
or Jennifer 01856 644224

The Westray population is of unknown size but this animal is by no means scarce, possibly 500-1000 individuals. Several small colonies exist around the coast with greatest numbers occurring at Sponess and on the Holm of Aikerness. The Bay of Swartmill is a common summer haul-out. Pups are born in June to mid-July and these can swim soon after birth. Many adults are ashore in August when they moult. 

Grey Seal

A small breeding colony of perhaps 100 adults exists at the Point of Weatherness, some 25 minutes walk from the Rapness Quarry. Pupping takes place in October-November and the young remain ashore for up to a month while they moult the whitish coat they are born with. A large haulout can be seen at low water on the Skerry below Noup Head. Typically this species prefers more isolated and exposed breeding and loafing sites than its’ smaller cousin above.

Excavation by Anna Ritchie in the 1970′s revealed sherds of Unstan Ware (identical to that found in the many chambered cairns on Orkney) and material giving radiocarbon dates of between 3600 to 3100 BC.

The two structures face the sea to the west. The west wall is thick to create an entrance passage that would help reduce draughts. The doors would have been against the inner end of this passage.

The structures are divided within by vertical stone partitions similar to those found in the contemporary chambered cairns (see photo of Midhowe chambered cairn). As with Skara brae, there are stone shelves and cupboards built into the walls.

The larger, Northern building is thought to have been built first, and served as the main living place. The smaller, southern structure was added later, and thought to have been a workshop. The structures were surrounded by a midden that had been spread thin so as to provide an area for small scale cultivation.

Animal bones found were of domesticated sheep and cattle, with evidence also of a few pigs being kept. The size of some of the fish bones found suggests some offshore fishing up to 5 miles out to sea using hook and line. There are a very large number of limpet shells on the site. Limpets are apparently too rubbery, even when cooked, and poor in calories to be useful as human food. They were probably used as bait for fishing. A quern was found in the main house.

Source: Anna Ritchie, “Prehistoric Orkney”, Batsford/Historic Scotland 1995

STONE AGE-

THE KNAP OF HOWAR The earliest standing dwellings in north-west Europe were occupied by neolithic farmers. Local stone, easily split to form large flagstones, is ingeniously used to make room partitions, cupboards and hearths.

BRONZE AGE-

The Island’s dead were buried separately in small circular mounds to be found on the North Hill. Burnt mounds were associated with kitchens.

IRON AGE-

Part of a huge settlement can be seen in the eroding cliff face to the west of ST BONIFACE CHURCH.

PICTISH AND EARLY CHRISTIAN-

Triduana (Tredwell), one of the saints associated with Pictland, is said to have traveled north with St Boniface in 710 AD. King Nechtan fell in love with her and praised her beautiful eyes; to spare him from temptation and to preserve her chastity she is said to have torn her eyes out and presented them to him skewered on a thorn branch. Waters associated with Triduana, such as the Loch of St Tredwell, were thought to cure eye diseases. ST TREDWELL’S CHAPEL was an important pilgrimage centre. ST BONIFACE’S CHURCH, founded in the 8th century, recalls the arrival of Christianity in Orkney. The main fabric of the former parish church is 12th century.

EARLY NORSE-

There are few conspicuous reminders of Papay’s Norse connections. FARM MOUNDS have certainly a very restricted distribution, the most significant being in Arctic Norway, and NAUSTS may have sheltered bea”hed longships. Papay’s most obvious link with the Viking age is the “hog-backed” stone in St Boniface churchyard. The Orkneyinga Saga states that Earl Rognvald Brusason, was buried on the island, but not where. Perhaps this stone, in the shape of a Norse house, is a clue.

Islanders recall being told the stone came from the beach and was laid over a witch’s grave to make it secure.

We are open all year round and details of our tour itinerary can be found on our website.

Please note that we currently only accept cash or cheque payments and are unable to process credit or debit cards.

Our tour is intended to encompass as many of the sights and sounds, which Papay has to offer, as we can squeeze into the day!

Enquiries

[contact-form-7]Errival Tours
Errival Tours
Edgeriggs
Papa Westray
Orkney
KW17 2BU

Tel: 01857 644378

Founded in 2003, we supply local retail shops, outlets further afield in the UK, America and Japan.

Our online store ensures wherever you are, we can deliver our products to you.

The Recycled by Design™ team, inspired by the natural beauty of the tiny island of Papa Westray, in Orkney, Scotland, design and hand-make our unique, individual and exclusive range of products that make a stunning and refreshing change from most of what can be found on the high street.

Visit our website at www.recycledbydesign.com

Enquiries

[contact-form-7]Recycled by Design
Bewan
Papa Westray
Orkney
KW17 2BU

01857 644245

He took up wood turning a few years ago and now works hard to keep up with the demand for his fine craftwork, especially at Christmas, so please place your orders early.

Raymond is keen to find unusual timbers to turn and is looking out for particularly fine markings on the timber to use for gallery pieces. Orkney is not known for its forests, but the occasional driftwood can find itself changed into a thing of beauty after it has been carefully and lovingly dried out, turned and waxed.

Enquiries

[contact-form-7]Raymond Leslie – Wood Turning
c/o Westray Studios
Furrigarth
Westray
Orkney

01857 677786