A thriving island with a proactive community, Westray packs in a lot within the confines of its often-awe-inspiring coastline.
About Westray
There’s a vibrancy to Westray that you can feel as soon as you step off the ferry or flight. The close-knit, dynamic population here works hard to make the island an attractive place to live, work, and visit, and residents take pride in its reputation as one of Orkney’s most popular destinations.
Westray boasts many classic Orcadian elements, with a stunning stretch of sea cliffs on its west side, a handful of vast, sandy beaches, wonderful wildlife-spotting opportunities, and a rich history stretching back thousands of years. Perhaps it's these characteristics that inspire the local creative community, with the island home to a range of talented food producers and craft makers.
A typical day here can be spent exploring the great outdoors, watching seabirds swirl in the breeze, browsing local artwork and textiles, discovering Neolithic and Viking treasures, and sampling some of the country’s finest seafood. It’s that kind of place.
Useful information
- Food & drink
Westray has long held a reputation as an island of fabulous food and drink. As well as the shops mentioned above, there are a range of eating out options to try during a visit here.
The Pierowall Hotel is famous for its fish and chips, so much so that booking a table in advance is highly recommended during the summer months. There are plenty of other choices available on the menu too, and the hotel is also home to the island pub. Phone 01857 677 472, email pierowallhotel@gmail.com, visit the official website or find the hotel on Facebook to check opening times or book a table.
JACKS Chippy in Broughton, on the south side of the bay at Pierowall, rivals its village neighbour in the fish and chips market with an excellent takeaway menu full of seafood. The chippy is open a few nights every week, with plenty of other options available too. Phone 01857 677 471, visit the official website or find it on Facebook to check opening times.
Saintear is a relative newcomer to the Westray food and drink scene, offering a range of homecooked meals and light bites, from pizzas and burgers, to seafood, freshly baked cakes and more. The bistro is just south of Pierowall – check opening times by phoning 07825 017 124, emailing saintearwestray@gmail.com, or finding Saintear on Facebook.
The Groatie Buckie café in W. I. Rendall is a perfect stop for a quick bite to eat or a cup of tea or coffee. Check opening times in advance by phoning 01857 677 389 or find the shop on Facebook.
If you’d like to combine a refreshment with the chance to browse some special artwork then a pit stop at the Wheeling Steen Gallery is just the place for you. Local artists, Edwin Rendall and his daughter, Rosemary, offer teas, coffees, biscuits and bakes from their unique workspace, as well as frozen yogurt, which comes highly recommended by islanders. Opening times can vary so do check in advance – phone 01857 677 292, email info@wheeling-steen.co.uk, visit the official website or find the gallery on Facebook.
And if you’re waiting at the ferry terminal before a crossing to Kirkwall, you can pop in to the tiny but incredibly welcoming Richan’s Retreat for small meals or just a cuppa. There’s an excellent craft shop here too. Phone ahead on 01857 677 877, or find the café on Facebook.
Westray is also home to a number of talented producers, with products available to pick up locally and further afield across Orkney. The Westray Bakehouse makes delicious breads, rolls, biscuits, and more. Pierowall Fish Ltd, which runs JACKS Chippy, sells home-smoked salmon, scallops and other seafood. Westray Chutney has an extensive range of chutneys and preserves, using local vegetables or more exotic options, including cranberries, mangos, and pineapples.
- Shopping
Stocking up on supplies isn’t a problem in Westray, with three excellent shops serving local folk and visitors with everything you could possibly need, from fresh produce to local food and drink, and a huge range of gifts and hardware.
In Pierowall, you’ll find W. I. Rendall, a quintessential island general store that even grows its own vegetables in its polycrubs. Check opening times in advance by phoning 01857 677 389 or find the shop on Facebook.
Just across the road, J. C. Tulloch is a licensed grocer that operates on the same basis as its neighbour – it’s a rare occasion when you can’t find what you need across these two stores. Tullochs also offers a post office service. Phone 01857 677 373 or find the shop on Facebook to check opening hours.
The Skello Shop is found to the south east of the island and is packed with fresh food, meats, drinks, and more. There’s a post office counter and a coffee machine here too. You might hear it called Peter Miller’s shop after the man who founded it more than a century ago – tradition is important in a place like Westray. Check opening times by phoning 01857 677 351 or find the shop on Facebook.
- Fuel
Fuel is available at W. I. Rendall in Pierowall – phone 01857 677 389 or find the shop on Facebook to check opening times in advance.
- Public toilets
There is a public toilet at the ferry terminal at Rapness, with one gents' toilet and one ladies'/accessible toilet available. In Pierowall there is one ladies' toilet and one gents' toilet, and at Gill Pier you’ll find one ladies' toilet and one gents' toilet.
Daily flights and ferries from Kirkwall make it easy to plot a course to Westray, with a regular connection to neighbouring Papa Westray available too.
Getting to Westray by sea
Orkney Ferries operates daily return sailings between Kirkwall and Westray, with an occasional call into Papa Westray – check the timetable before travelling to confirm the route. There are daily passenger-only crossings between Gill Pier in Westray and Papa Westray, with a connecting bus service linking the ferry terminals in Westray.
Bicycles are accepted on both services. Book your ferry tickets online via the Orkney Ferries website, and contact the ferry company directly for more information on all its services.
Westray is home to an excellent marina too, with berths available to book for visiting yachts and other crafts. Find out more on the Orkney Marinas website.
Getting to Westray by air
Loganair offers daily return flights between Westray and Kirkwall, with most services connecting via Papa Westray on at least one leg of the journey, giving passengers the chance to experience the world’s shortest scheduled flight. Advance booking for all inter-isles flights in Orkney is essential, particularly during the summer months. You can view the timetable on the Loganair website. Contact the Loganair team at Kirkwall Airport for travel information and advice.
Getting around Westray
Westray is one of Orkney’s largest islands so to make sure you can explore at your own pace, taking a car or bicycle is the best option.
The Westray Bus links the ferry terminal at Rapness and Pierowall, seven miles to the north west. It also offers an integrated connection with the Papa Westray passenger ferry that departs from Pierowall. The bus is a ‘hail and ride’ service, so visitors can be picked up or dropped off anywhere along the main route. Special pick-ups and drop-offs elsewhere in Westray can be made by prior arrangement too, as long as they don’t affect the timetable. The bus has a fixed timetable during the summer and is request only the rest of the year. Find out more on the official website or phone 07789 034 289.
Car hire is available from W. I. Rendall, one of the excellent shops in Pierowall. Phone 01857 677 389 for more information, or find the shop on Facebook. Stewart Groat from the shop also offers an informal taxi service which is useful if you’re arriving at the airfield, or looking for a lift after tackling one of Westray’s many walking routes. Contact him via 01857 677 528 to book.
Bicycles can be hired at W. I. Rendall’s shop too - phone 01857 677 389 for more information and to book. Bikes can also be brought for free with Orkney Ferries, and although Westray is a vibrant community with a healthy population, you’ll still find the roads relatively quiet and safe.
Our Westray walking and cycling routes offer an excellent introduction to the island.
Guided tours
If you’d like to explore Westray in the company of local experts, there are excellent island tours available with Westraak Tours. Andy and Karen Penn offer relaxed tours to most of Westray’s highlights, including Noltland Castle and Noup Head, with refreshments and a home-cooked lunch provided. Find out more on the official website, email info@westraak.co.uk, phone 01857 677 777, or find Westraak Tours on Facebook.
You won’t be short of activities and attractions if you’re planning to visit Westray.
In fact, the challenge might be fitting everything in to your island itinerary.
Find your perfect home from home in Westray.
