Papa Westray

Papa Westray

Norse name	Papey (hin) Meiri
Meaning of name	Old Norse for "big island of the papar"
Low cliffs on the east coast
Location
Papa Westray Papa Westray shown within Orkney
OS grid reference	HY488518
Coordinates	59°22′N 2°54′W / 59.36°N 2.9°W / 59.36; -2.9
Physical geography
Island group	Orkney
Area	918 hectares (3.5 sq mi)
Area rank	53
Highest elevation	North Hill 49 metres (161 ft)
Administration
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Country	Scotland
Council area	Orkney Islands
Demographics
Population	90
Population rank	45=
Population density	9.8 people/km2
Largest settlement	Backaskaill
References

Papa Westray, also known as Papay, is one of the Orkney Islands in Scotland, United Kingdom. The soil is very fertile, and this has long been a draw to the island.

Current historical attractions on the island include Holland House with an associated folk museum and the Knap of Howar Neolithic farmstead (Historic Scotland).

It is the ninth largest of the Orkney Islands with an area of 918 hectares (2,270 acres). The island's population was 90 as recorded by the 2011 census an increase of over 35% since 2001 when there were only 65 usual residents. During the same period Scottish island populations as a whole grew by 4% to 103,702.

Orkney Ferries sail MV Golden Mariana from Papa Westray to Pierowall and Rapness on Westray, and Kirkwall on the Orkney Mainland. Britten-Norman Islander aircraft operated by Loganair fly from Papa Westray Airport to Westray and Kirkwall; the hop from Papa Westray to Westray is the world's shortest scheduled flight, at approximately 2 minutes.

At the northern tip of the island lies North Hill. At 49 metres (161 ft), it is the island's highest point and an RSPB nature reserve. Many seabirds breed on the island, including Arctic terns and Arctic skuas. It was one of the last places where the great auk was found; the last individual was killed in 1813. The reserve is also home to the rare and tiny purple-flowered Scottish primrose Primula scotica.