Papay is a small island in the outer North Isles, adjacent to the larger island of Westray . The population of over 80 are employed in a varity of different occupations. In the summer months tourism is important to the island economy and visitors are able to stay in a variety of accommodation. With only one shop and post office the islanders are dependant on the twice weekly ferry throughout the year and during the summer months a daily ferry to Westray. The island is also well served by Loganair flights, with 3 flights daily on week days and 2 flights at week-ends during the summer. While in the winter there is 2 flights daily during the winter for 6 days and 1 on a Sunday.

There are numerous interesting sights on Papay such as: The Knap of Howar the earliest standing house in Northern Europe, St Boniface Kirk one of the oldest Christian sites in the North of Scotland, St Tredwell's Chapel is on a small peninsula with traces of iron age fortification and walls of a medieval chapel- a place of pilgrimage as late as the 18 th century, The North Hill nature reserve with an abundance of flora and fauna including the “Primula Scotica”.

Sunset

A view from Papay over to Aikerness Holm.

Primula Scotica is a very rare flower.  The North Hill on Papay has got the biggest population of them in the world.

See our links below to articles we wrote about Papay