Westray Island Scotland (Rapness, Orkney)

Westray Island is one of Scotland's Orkney Islands. By land area (approx 47 km2 / 18 ml2) it is Orkney's 6th largest. Resident population is under 600. Island's main village is Pierowall. Regularly scheduled ferries (run by Orkney Ferries) dock at Rapness.

Isle of Westray is also served by Westray Airport (domestic flights) at Aikerness (on the island's north-east side), connecting to Kirkwall (Orkney Mainland). World's shortest scheduled flights (only 2 min travel) are operated between Aikerness and Papa Westray / (aka Papay). Island's main ferry terminal is at Rapness (south-east side) with regular Orkney Ferries service to Kirkwall.

The main industries on Westray Island are cattle farming, fish farming and fishing. Tourism is also of great importance to the economy. Westray Wife, the local cheese, is organic unpasturised cheese that is available in mature and mild varieties. It marries well with the local bakery goods (including oatcakes) and Westray chutneys (all Fairtrade). Fresh fish, lobster and seafood is available locally of a very high standard.

Westray Development Trust is popular for its recycling initiatives and renewable energy. It planned to make the isle of Westray self-sufficient in energy. A community-owned 900 kW wind turbine was erected in 2009, the 3rd large-scale project of the type in Scotland. 

The dramatic sea cliffs around Noup Head home thousands of seabirds. During the 1990s the Rattus rattus (black rat) may have been present though they haven't been recorded since. The Orkney vole and mice are present, as are European otters.

Westray Island Scotland cruise terminal