-- Where is it ? --

The island of Papa Westray, known locally as Papay, is one of Orkney's smallest isles lying some 20 miles north of Kirkwall. Just 4 miles long by 1 mile wide, Papay is steeped in history with a current population of around 70.

-- History --

Papay is green and fertile and because of this has been home to farming activity for at least 5,000 years. Indeed, Historic Scotland lists nearly 60 archaeological sites on Papay, an astonishing testimony to the immense period of human habitation. These range from the Knap of Howar, the oldest known north European houses, built and occupied a millennium before the pyramids, through a huge chambered tomb on the Holm of Papay, to ancient churches heralding the advent of Christianity down to small finds of stone axes.

In more recent times Papay supported a population of over 300 people only as recently as the early 1900's. Despite what appears to be a dwindling population the local community are fighting hard to keep their island going. Nowadays farming is still one of the main activities of the islanders, especially the production of excellent beef cattle. Local folk are also involved in lobster and crab fishing, market gardening, building, crafts, tourism, writing and computer-based work - and essential island services.

-- Books --

Most books listed on lonleyisles.com should be available from any on-line book seller such as Amazon.

	A Jar Of Seed Corn: Portrait Of An Island Farm - Jocelyn Rendall The latest book to be published about Papa Westray. A fascinating, well-researched work on the history of Holland farm which also tells the story of the island and its people. Once home to a powerful land-owning dynasty that crashed into spectacular bankruptcy, Holland embodies the history of Papay since medieval times. Full of pictures and intriguing details this is an engaging account of the island's evolution from virtual feudalism (as recently as Victorian times) to today's fragile but independent and egalitarian community.
	Clinging To The Edge - Jim Hewitson Papa Westray, mystical island of the monks, has 25 households, 70 or so permanent residents, and a mini-economy based on cattle, sheep and shellfishing. This book provides on insight into life on the island, capturing the strains, stresses and joys of being a compact community.
	St Boniface Church Orkney - Christopher Lowe An excellent, detailed account of an archaeological investigation at St Boniface, Papa Westray. Profusely illustrated and carefully reasoned discussion of a site which has been occupied for at least 3000 years.

-- DVD's & Videos --

None available to my knowledge....please contact lonely-isles if you know of any and we'll add them to the site !!

-- Links --

Papa Westray - Official web presence for Papa Westray. Lot's of local information and history as well as a good selection of images of the island and it's people. Also contains an excellent links page which has just about every link on the island you could wish to see.

Papa Westray Community School - Picture and info packed site...not just of Papa Westray but plenty of superb pictures of other islands visited by the community school on trips.

Allan Prices Papay Pages - Small but informative collection of pages on Papa Westray.

Papa Westray Ferry - Page from the excellent Undiscovered Scotland site about the Papa Westray ferry.

Westray & Papa Westray Tourist Association - Local tourism site covering both Westray and Papa Westray.