Westray Island, Orkney, Scotland
The 'Queen of the Isles' rewards those who make the journey — windswept clifftop puffin colonies, a 5,000-year-old carved figurine, and a ruined castle tied to Mary Queen of Scots await on this remote Orcadian gem.
The 'Queen of the Isles' rewards those who make the journey — windswept clifftop puffin colonies, a 5,000-year-old carved figurine, and a ruined castle tied to Mary Queen of Scots await on this remote Orcadian gem.
All cruise ships tender to Westray — tenders land at Gill Pier on the north edge of Pierowall Bay.
💡 Pro move: Pre-book a local guide or bicycle hire before arrival. The island has around 600 residents and facilities fill quickly when a ship is in.
Westray has no deep-water cruise berth — all vessels tender ashore to Gill Pier in Pierowall.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Expedition/small ships | Anchor in Pierowall Roadstead → tender to Gill Pier, Pierowall📍 | Tendered |
| Larger ships (shore excursion from Kirkwall) | Orkney Ferries from Kirkwall to Rapness Ferry Terminal (south end of island)📍 | Tendered |
Westray's highlights range from clifftop puffin colonies and Neolithic archaeology to empty white-sand beaches — best explored with a local guide or bicycle.
A sea stack on the southeast coast hosts hundreds of puffins from May to August. Walk right up to the cliff edge to watch them at close range — no boat needed. Guillemots and razorbills share the stack.
Find Westray wildlife tours →This community museum in Pierowall houses the 5,000-year-old 'Westray Wife' — the earliest representation of a human face found in the UK. Viking-age exhibits and the island's archaeological story round out the visit.
Book a guided heritage tour →A striking 16th-century ruin built by Gilbert Balfour — a man linked to the murder of Lord Darnley, husband of Mary Queen of Scots. Free to explore, famous for its massive spiral staircase and unusual gun-loops.
Find Orkney history tours →The island's northwest tip hosts over 40,000 nesting seabirds — gannets, kittiwakes, guillemots — along dramatic clay cliffs. An 1898 Stevenson lighthouse crowns the headland.
Find Orkney birdwatching tours →White-sand dunes and turquoise water on the north coast, adjacent to an active Neolithic archaeological dig (Links of Noltland). Often entirely empty — bring a jacket.
Find Westray island tours →Stroll Pierowall, grab a crab sandwich at the hotel, and watch the tiny Loganair aircraft make the 2-minute scheduled flight to Papa Westray — officially the world's shortest commercial flight.
Explore Pierowall on foot →Pierowall village and Noltland Castle are easily walkable from the tender pier; most other island highlights require a bike or taxi.
Walk the coastal road from Gill Pier into Pierowall village. Visit the Heritage Centre (Orkney Venus), Lady Kirk ruins, and grab lunch at the Pierowall Hotel.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →From the village, follow the road southwest to the imposing ruin of Noltland Castle. The walk passes open farmland with sea views on both sides.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Climate normals for Westray Island, Orkney, Scotland (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 45°F / 7°C | 41°F / 5°C | 24 | 8:54 AM | 3:48 PM |
| Feb | 45°F / 7°C | 41°F / 5°C | 19 | 7:47 AM | 5:05 PM |
| Mar | 45°F / 7°C | 41°F / 5°C | 19 | 6:28 AM | 6:14 PM |
| Apr | 46°F / 8°C | 43°F / 6°C | 12 | 5:57 AM | 8:28 PM |
| May | 49°F / 9°C | 46°F / 8°C | 14 | 4:39 AM | 9:39 PM |
| Jun | 53°F / 12°C | 50°F / 10°C | 11 | 3:56 AM | 10:29 PM |
| Jul | 56°F / 13°C | 53°F / 12°C | 15 | 4:22 AM | 10:12 PM |
| Aug | 57°F / 14°C | 54°F / 12°C | 15 | 5:30 AM | 9:00 PM |
| Sep | 56°F / 13°C | 53°F / 12°C | 18 | 6:41 AM | 7:31 PM |
| Oct | 53°F / 12°C | 50°F / 10°C | 22 | 7:50 AM | 6:03 PM |
| Nov | 50°F / 10°C | 46°F / 8°C | 22 | 8:06 AM | 3:45 PM |
| Dec | 47°F / 8°C | 43°F / 6°C | 24 | 9:03 AM | 3:10 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Upcoming cruises that call at Westray Island, Orkney, Scotland. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.