Westray
| Scottish Gaelic name | Bheastraigh / Ueastraigh |
|---|---|
| Scots name | Westree |
| Old Norse name | Vestrey |
| Meaning of name | Old Norse for 'west island' |
A view of the western side of the island, with West and East Kirbest in the foreground and Langskaill beyond | |
| Location | |
Westray shown within Orkney | |
| OS grid reference | HY461461 |
| Coordinates | 59°18′N 3°00′W / 59.3°N 3.0°W |
| Physical geography | |
| Island group | Orkney |
| Area | 47.13 square kilometres (18.2 sq mi) |
| Area rank | 24 |
| Highest elevation | Fitty Hill 169 metres (554.5 ft) |
| Administration | |
| Council area | Orkney Islands |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 588 |
| Population rank | 20 |
| Population density | 12.5 people/km2 |
| Largest settlement | Pierowall |
| References | |
Westray (/ˈwɛstriː/, Scots: Westree) is one of the Orkney Islands in Scotland, with a usual resident population of just under 600 people. Its main village is Pierowall, with a heritage centre, the 15th-century Lady Kirk church and pedestrian ferry service to nearby Papa Westray island. Westray has a number of archeological sites dating from 3500 BC, and remains of several Norse-Viking settlements. The spectacular sea cliffs around Noup Head are home to thousands of seabirds.