Papa Westray

Papa Westray

This is a small island of four miles in length and one mile wide. It can be reached by boat from Westray and plane. There are a number of archaeological sites on the island some of which are identifies below:

Knap of Howar

This is the best known monument on the west of the island. It comprises of two oblong stone dwellings dating back to about 3800BC. The larger house is some ten metres by five metres and the smaller seven and a half by three metres. Both are divided into rooms by upright slabs and have built in furniture and hearths. The houses are linked by an internal passageway. Link: Historic Environment Scotland - Àrainneachd Eachdraidheil Alba Knap of Howar.

Holm of Papay

This is a small island very close to the east of Papa Westray which has three chambered cairns. The most interesting is at the south end of the Holm which has a main chamber with ten single and two double side chambers. Within the tomb are the outlines of carvings. The island is reached by private boat hire from the old pier. Link: Papa Westray website Holm of Papay.

St Boniface Kirk

This has stone work that survives from the twelfth century although there has been a Kirk on the site since the eighth century. The Kirk has been restored and is on the west of the island north from Knap of Howar. Link: Papa Westray website St Boniface Kirk.

Monkerhoose

This is an Iron Age settlement stretching into the early Pictish period. It has yet to be properly explored and the contents of the site preserved. The mound is located to the north and under St Bonifice Church on the west side of Papa Westray.

Image: Knap of Howar © Copyright Me677 at English Wikipedia and released into the public domain.