Papa Westray history

The history of the island of Papa Westray, often referred to by locals simply as "Papay", is rooted in deep antiquity, significantly predating written history. It is one of the oldest places of continuous human habitation within the Orkney archipelago.

Foundation and First Mentions

The settlement of these lands began as early as the Neolithic era. The primary evidence of the settlement's ancient origins is the Knap of Howar — a stone farmstead built around 3700 BC. It is considered the oldest preserved stone house in Northern Europe, older than the Egyptian pyramids.

The island's name is of Old Norse origin ("Papey Meiri") and translates as "The Big Island of the Priests". This indicates that before the arrival of the Vikings, the "papar" — Celtic Christian missionaries — lived here. Later, the territory became part of the lands that are today united by the United Kingdom.

Key Factors of Formation

• Exceptional Fertility: The island's soils are considered some of the richest in Orkney, which has attracted farmers here since ancient times and ensured the stability of the settlement.
• Religious Centre: St Tredwell's Chapel on the shore of the loch of the same name was an important site of medieval pilgrimage, giving the island a special spiritual and political status in the region.
• Strategic Location: Being at the intersection of maritime routes, the island played a role in Viking navigation and trade between the islands of the archipelago.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

The economy of the early period was based on a combination of agriculture, cattle breeding, and fishing. The cultural appearance was formed under the strong influence of the Picts, and later Scandinavian settlers, which is reflected in local folklore and toponymy. Archaeological finds indicate that the inhabitants led a settled lifestyle and possessed developed skills in stone construction.

Major Historical Milestones

• Around 3700 BC — Construction of the Knap of Howar farmstead, which is considered the oldest surviving stone house in the territory of the modern United Kingdom and all of Northern Europe.
• 8th Century — The spread of Christianity and the founding of St Tredwell's Chapel, which became an important religious centre.
• 9th Century — The conquest of the Orkney Islands by Norwegian Vikings, marking the beginning of the Scandinavian period in the archipelago's history.
• 12th Century — Construction of St Boniface Kirk on the site of an ancient Christian settlement. It is the only medieval church in the North Isles of Orkney that has survived to this day.
• 1468 — Transfer of the Orkney Islands to the control of the Scottish Crown as a pledge for the dowry of Queen Margaret of Denmark.
• 17th Century — The island's lands pass into the possession of the Traill family, who built the Holland House estate and managed the local economy for centuries.
• Mid-19th Century — Peak of the kelp burning industry for the production of soda ash, providing an economic boom.
• 1880s — Active participation of local residents in the crofters' movement for land rights, leading to a visit by the Royal Commission.
• 1967 — Loganair launches a regular flight between the island of Westray and Papa Westray, which is officially recognised as the shortest in the world.
• 1999 — Foundation of the Papa Westray Community Co-operative to support sustainable development and preserve the community's heritage.
• 2015 — Discovery of a unique Neolithic burial in the Mayback area, expanding archaeologists' understanding of the region's ancient history.

Stages of Development and Transformation

Despite its modest size and isolated location, the island of Papa Westray has undergone a complex path of infrastructural evolution and social relations. The history of its development is an example of how a small community adapted to changing economic conditions characteristic of the northern territories, which are today united by the United Kingdom.

• Rise of Stone Architecture (Neolithic). The construction of the Knap of Howar complex became a revolutionary stage in the settlement's development. The transition to creating substantial stone dwellings with stone furniture and a drainage system laid the foundations for the settled culture and architectural traditions of the region.
• Centralisation of Management (17th Century). The construction of the Holland House estate by the Traill family formed the administrative and economic core of the island. A land ownership system was organised around the manor, defining the structure of farms for centuries to come.
• The "Kelp" Industry (19th Century). A period of rapid economic growth was associated with the industrial harvesting and burning of seaweed to obtain soda. This production ensured an influx of population and financial investments, allowing for the modernisation of local farms.
• Transport Revolution (1967). The opening of the airfield and the launch of regular air services became a key moment in overcoming isolation. Creating infrastructure for the world's shortest commercial flight ensured a stable connection with the "mainland" and attracted a flow of tourists.
• Restoration of Historical Appearance (1993). The large-scale restoration of the ancient St Boniface Kirk became an important cultural project. Saving the building from ruin not only preserved an architectural landmark but also created a centre of attraction for cultural tourism.
• Transition to Community Economy (1999). The creation of the Papa Westray Community Co-operative marked a new era of self-governance. Residents took control of key infrastructure facilities (the shop, the hostel), which helped stop the population outflow and create a sustainable economic model.

Architectural Appearance and Development

The architectural environment of the island of Papa Westray has been formed over millennia, representing a rare example of the continuous use of the same space from the Stone Age to the present day. There is no familiar urban planning with streets and squares here; the development belongs to the dispersed (scattered) type. Farmsteads and individual buildings are scattered across the landscape, oriented for protection from winds and proximity to fertile lands. The main feature of local architecture is the dominance of stone — the only available and durable material in treeless conditions.

Styles and Historical Epochs

The island's architecture does not follow the classical succession of European styles (Baroque or Classicism are practically not represented here), but rather reflects the evolution of local construction technologies and functional needs.

• Neolithic (Stone Architecture). The earliest layer, characterised by the mastery of dry stone masonry without the use of mortar. Buildings were recessed into the ground or dunes for thermal insulation, had thick double walls, and stone furniture.
• Medieval (Ecclesiastical Architecture). Represented by simple, ascetic forms characteristic of northern Christianity. The style is distinguished by massive walls, narrow windows, and a lack of excessive decoration, dictated by the harsh climate.
• 17th–19th Centuries (Vernacular Style and Estate Architecture). The period of the appearance of estates and farmhouses (crofts). Characteristic features include roofs made of flagstone, whitewashing of walls for protection against moisture, and crow-stepped gables borrowed from Scottish and Dutch traditions.

Iconic Structures

The appearance of the island is defined by several key buildings, each serving as a monument to its era.

Knap of Howar
A unique example of Neolithic architecture. These are two rectangular stone buildings with rounded corners, connected by a low passage. Walls preserved to this day up to 1.6 metres high, stone partitions, and hearths demonstrate the high level of engineering thought of the ancient builders.

St Boniface Kirk
The only medieval church in the North Isles of the Orkney archipelago. The 12th-century building, rebuilt in the early 18th century, is distinguished by a characteristic bellcote on the gable and strict lines. It is located right by the sea, highlighting the connection of the islanders' spiritual life with the maritime element.

Holland House
The architectural dominant of the central part of the island, built in the 17th century by the Traill family. The complex includes a residential house with crow-stepped gables, traditional for the Scottish nobility of that time, massive outbuildings, a dovecot, and a walled garden. This is a clear example of what a prosperous landowner's estate looked like on the northern outskirts, which are now part of the state of the United Kingdom.

Historical Figures and Famous Residents

Despite its small size, the island of Papa Westray is linked to the destinies of striking historical figures, from legendary saints and Vikings to politicians and scientists, whose activities influenced how the United Kingdom is perceived today in the context of ancient history.

• St Tredwell (Triduana)
  Early Christian Saint (4th–8th centuries)
  A legendary figure with whose name the main pilgrimage site on the island is associated. According to legend, she gouged out her own eyes to avoid the advances of the Pictish King Nechtan. The chapel on the shore of St Tredwell's Loch attracted pilgrims for centuries, who believed in the healing power of the local water for treating eyesight.
• Rognvald Brusason
  Earl of Orkney (c. 1011–1046)
  One of the key characters in the "Orkneyinga Saga", a ruler of the Viking Age known for his beauty and valour. After being treacherously killed by rivals, he was, according to the saga, buried on Papa Westray, which underscores the high status of the island in the Scandinavian period.
• Thomas Traill
  Soldier and Landowner (1590–1671)
  Founder of the Traill dynasty of lairds, who owned the island for over three hundred years. A veteran of the Thirty Years' War who served in Germany, he acquired the lands in 1637 and built the first Holland estate, laying the foundations of the island's economic structure.
• William Foulis
  Local Resident, Hunter (Early 19th Century)
  Entered history for a tragic reason related to the extinction of species. In 1813, on the cliffs of Fowl Craig, he caught and killed one of the world's last Great Auks for the British Museum, which became a sad milestone in the history of naturalism.
• George Traill
  Politician and Reformer (1787–1871)
  A prominent Member of Parliament representing the interests of the Northern Isles for over 30 years. He significantly modernised the island's economy and built the current Holland House building, which remains the architectural dominant of the settlement.
• John D. Mackay
  Educator and Publicist (1909–1970)
  A native of the island, known for his educational activities and bold political views. In the 1960s, he gained fame for his campaign to return the Orkney and Shetland Islands to Norwegian jurisdiction, reminding people of the region's Scandinavian roots.
• Anna Ritchie
  Archaeologist and Historian (born 1943)
  A researcher whose work in the 1970s changed the understanding of the Neolithic in Europe. It was her excavations and scientific substantiation that proved the Knap of Howar farm is the oldest surviving stone house in Northern Europe, bringing the island worldwide fame.