📌 Westray, Orkney Isles
★★★★
A distinctive orange-beaked, orange-footed bird on a little hand-painted sign points the way from the B9066. Understated like most things on Westray, this spot of coastline deserves a billboard-size sign with neon flashing lights. Most of the island’s puffins nest on the inaccessible Castle o’ Burrian sea stack, but smaller numbers also nest on the mainland in the immediate area – look out for the telltale burrows and white-stained vegetation. Taking care not to disturb the birds, it’s still possible to get close to these cute and comical creatures, surrounded by beautiful coastal scenery and other seabirds which continue to Stanger Head and beyond.
📷 Chronological photo guide
🌍 Location
📌 Start / finish at Rapness Mill, minor road 5 mi southeast of Pierowall, Westray
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: HY 502425
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 59.265647,-2.875827
🚌 Westray Bus (scheduled in summer, on-demand in winter) will stop on B9066 | 🚢 Rapness ferry terminal (2 mi – circular route possible from Newbigging)
🚗 Car park
📝 Key info
▶ 3 km / 2 mi | ▲ 30 m | ⌛ 1.5 hr
Features: 🌊 Castle o’ Burrian and puffins; 🌊 Bight of Stangerhead
⬤ Easy | Narrow, coastal grassy path close to cliffs.
Download file for GPS➡️ Out-and-back walk: start – coast path via Castle o’ Burrian to Stanger Head – return by outward route
🥾 On our last visit
Wildlife: Puffins, shags, fulmars and chicks, numerous other seabird species in small numbers.
Weather: Mostly cloudy, some sunny spells. Lightish wind.
July 2015
