Visit Us
Opening Times & Admission
| Opening Times | ||
| May to September | Monday to Saturday | 09:00 – 12:00, 14:00 – 17:00 |
| Sunday | 13:30 – 17:00 | |
| October to December & March to April | Wednesdays | 14:00 – 16:00 or by arrangement |
| Admission Charges | ||
| Adults | £4.00 | |
| Concessions/Students | £3.00 | |
| Under 16 years | £0.50 | |
| Under 5 years | Free | |
| Card Holders | Free |
As an independent charity (SCO23042) run by volunteers, we rely on admission fees to support our work. Thank you for your understanding and generosity.
Accessibility
Westray Heritage Centre has wheelchair access through all public areas. Toilet facilities are equipped for disabled use and has provision for baby changing and juvenile use.
Assistance dogs are welcome.
Reception
Visitors are welcomed in the reception foyer by locally knowledgeable staff who give guidance to the Centre displays and collections and remain available for further help as necessary.
The Centre is also the Information Point for Westray. Details of walks and other information on Westray is available from the Heritage Centre reception staff.
Getting to Westray
Westray is the most north-westerly island of the Orkney archipelago and although about the same latitude as southern Greenland, the climate is maritime and not too hot or too cold.
The population of the island is just under 600 and the main industries are cattle and sheep farming, salmon farming, crab and lobster fishing and supportive industries.
The scenery is mixed with rocky and spectacular cliff coastlines, sandy beaches, fertile farming land and rough hill ground.
Extensive sea bird colonies can be viewed on the RSPB reserve at Noup cliffs and in season, easily accessible puffin watching at Castle of Burrian.
The early history of Westray is revealed by extensive remains of Neolithic and Bronze/Iron Age villages, Viking churches and a fishing station and later, the fortified Noltland Castle constructed in the1500s.
Getting to the Heritage Centre
We are in the centre of Pierowall, the main village in Westray, seven miles north of the Rapness Ferry Terminal and three miles south of Westray Airfield. Westray is served by Orkney Ferries and Loganair.
By Ferry
The ferry from Kirkwall runs two or three times a day and takes 1 hour 25 minutes, giving excellent views of the other North Isles of Shapinsay, Egilsay, Eday and Faray. Booking is essential if you are bringing a car. Contact Orkney Ferries on 01856 872044 or check their website orkneyferries.co.uk.
By Plane
Loganair operate a flight to Westray twice a day during the week and one a day on Saturday and Sunday. See their website at https://www.loganair.co.uk/travel-information/orkney-inter-island-services/
Enjoy the unique experience of being on the Islander 8 seat aircraft for the shortest scheduled flight in the world between Westray and Papa Westray.
The Westray Bus
The Westray Bus meets the Orkney Ferries service from Kirkwall at Rapness and stops at the Hotel car park, opposite the Heritage Centre. If you want to catch the bus from September-April you need to book. Check www.westraybusservice.com for details.
If you are using sat nav, the Heritage Centre post code is KW17 2BZ. Car parking is available.