Westray

This is reached via ferry to Rapness Ferry Terminal in the south of the island from Mainland or Pierowall Ferry Terminal to Papa Westray in the north. Pierowall is the largest settlement on the island. Westray has had settlements since Neolithic times. Link: Orkney.Com Westray.

Westray Heritage Centre

This is located in Pierowall in the north of the island and located in the centre of the village next to the Pierowall Hotel. The centre gives information on the history, archaeology, geography, culture and the environment of Westray. Their website is www.westrayheritage.co.uk

St Mary's Parish Church

This is a ruined church dating back to the thirteenth century. Most of what is seen today is from the seventeenth century but remains of the thirteenth century building are in the south wall. The site is located in Pierowall.

Noltland Castle

The remains of the sixteenth century Z-plan castle built between 1560 and 1573 by Gilbert Balfour. The castle is noted for it's defensive features and large staircase. It is located about a mile west from the village of Pierowall. Link: Historic Environment Scotland - Àrainneachd Eachdraidheil Alba Noltland Castle.

Links of Noltland

This is on the coast northwest from the Heritage centre and is the remains of an extensive Neolithic and Bronze Age settlement dating back to at least 2600BC. It is a continual site of excavation and winds have uncovered areas of the site which was under protective sand dunes. It is seen as an extremely important site with the remains of building being discovered along with a number of artefacts. Found at the site was the small figure of a human only 41mm tall, 31mm wide and 12mm thick. This is the only carving of a human from Neolithic times to have been found in Scotland. Visitors can access the site which is at Grobust Bay on Mondays to Fridays with a guided tour at 2pm on each day.

Image: Links of Noltland image © Copyright Laura McKenna released into the public domain and courtesy of wikimedia commons