Westray, an island north of ORKNEY mainland has a population of about 500 inhabitants. The significant difference of WESTRAY to all the other islands is its tradition. Most families have lived here for generations, so in Westray you can still experience the orcadian characteristics in everyday life.

I am sure you will enjoy this atmosphere on your visits to the shops or the two pubs, when you will meet local people - a feeling I associate most with WESTRAY.

The local HERITAGE CENTRE in the village centre illustrates aspects of WESTRAYs past.

WESTRAY has a designated craft trail leading to jewellers, potters, knitters, painters and people, who still fabricate the traditional orkney chairs.

HUME SWEET HUME with their wide spectrum of textiles and art have a reputation that extends far beyond the borders of ORKNEY.

As mentioned before, Westray has 2 pubs/hotels. The Pierowall, famous for it’s Fish & Chips and Cleaton House where you can enjoy a meal in the bar or the a-la-carte restaurant. You will enjoy a pint or a peedie dram in both places and be able to enjoy local music sessions arranged from time to time.

CLEATON HOUSE is a 4 star a-la-carte restaurant, which also offers a great bar menu more suitable to a backpackers budget. You will enjoy a pint or a wee dram in both places and can even join into local music sessions arranged from time to time.

If you'd rather stay at Bisgeos for the evening, Westray offers three grocery stores - two in Pierowall and one in the middle of the island, and an off-license, selling Orkney Beer and Wine, as well as other beers, wines and spirits is open at Hume Sweet Hume

WESTRAYs landscape varies from agricultural land to hills with bogs and muirs. The coastline offers sandy beaches and prominent cliffs on the westside. There are three lochs on the island if you wish to try your luck at fishing.

If you don’t want to explore the island on foot or by bike(for rent at Bisgeos), you can join one of the island bus tours, run by Graham & Kathy at Westraak, which will take to you to around various places of interest on Westray.

On bike you can explore the whole island in one day, the roads are not busy and very inviting for a cycle tour. You can hire a bike from us for £6 per day. I like the trip on the western road with its peaceful landscape and great views.

For walkers I can recommend the WESTERN walk, which follows the cliffs on the westside and passes just beneath the BISGEOS.

It leads up to NOUP HEAD, a bird reserve starting close to the bisgeos. It is famous for its gull and seabird populations nesting in the steep cliffs. You can observe puffins there, but the ideal location for seeing this bird is the Castle of Burrian, where you can see them very close up.

Last year, our guests spotted killer whales around the noup, a lasting experience to all of them. You can see seals in different places along the coast and with some luck you can see your first otter already when the inter island ferry lands at RAPNESS pier.

WESTRAY offers 2 types of fishing. You can catch brown trout in the 3 lochs or go for saltwater species on certain spots along the coast to catch koes, ling, cod or mackeral at the right time of the year.

WE DO NOT TAKE ANY REPONSIBILITY FOR THE RISK OF THESE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES!