Hotels & Accommodation in Westray Orkney Islands
Where to stay — hotels, homestays, hostels, rare finds and everything in between.
Understanding the Accommodation Scene
Westray is one of the most populated of Orkney's outer islands, home to around 600 residents, and its accommodation scene reflects that intimacy. The island has no conventional hotel chain presence. Instead, travellers find a small but functional mix of B&Bs, self-catering cottages, a hostel, and farmhouse stays — most operated by local families who have lived on Westray for generations. The character of staying here is fundamentally different from mainland tourism: hosts often know the ferry timetable, the weather forecast, and the best spot to see puffins better than any booking algorithm.
Self-catering cottages are the dominant accommodation format, well suited to the island's pace and the practical reality that restaurant options are limited and flexible meal times matter. Several properties are converted farm buildings or traditional Orcadian stone houses, giving them a sense of place that purpose-built holiday lets rarely achieve. A small hostel serves budget travellers and cyclists who arrive via ferry from Kirkwall.
Availability across all categories is genuinely tight, particularly in summer. Westray's accommodation pool is small by any measure, and the island sees meaningful visitor numbers relative to its size, especially for wildlife (puffins at Noup Head), archaeology (the Knap of Howar), and the Westray Folk Festival. Booking as far in advance as possible is not a cliché here — it is a practical necessity.
Best Areas to Stay
The island's main settlement, with the ferry pier, a shop, a pub, and the island's social heart. Most services are walkable from here.
Tradeoff: Limited accommodation options within the village itself; not especially scenic compared to coastal areas.
budgetRemote, windswept coastline with spectacular cliffs, puffin colonies, and the sense of being at the edge of things. Self-catering only.
Tradeoff: Requires a car or bicycle; no walking distance to services.
mixedThe southern tip where the car ferry from Kirkwall docks; scattered farmhouses and rural quiet.
Tradeoff: Some distance from Pierowall's limited amenities; a car is essentially required.
budgetThe agricultural interior of the island, with working farms and traditional stone buildings. Genuine rural immersion.
Tradeoff: Little to no walking access to services; wholly dependent on a vehicle.
budgetRare & Memorable Places to Stay
Self-catering lets near the Knap of Howar, a Neolithic farmstead site of significant archaeological importance. Staying in this area combines dramatic coastal scenery with proximity to one of Northern Europe's oldest standing buildings.
Isolated coastal self-catering options near the Noup Head RSPB reserve, one of Scotland's premier seabird cliffs. Suitable for wildlife enthusiasts; requires a car and self-sufficiency.
Small B&Bs near the Rapness ferry terminal convenient for late arrivals or early departures. Family-operated, representative of the island's informal, personal hospitality style.
The closest thing Westray has to a conventional hotel; a converted Victorian manse offering en-suite rooms and evening meals. Long-established and well-regarded among island visitors.
A small B&B within reasonable reach of Pierowall's services, operated by island residents. Represents the intimate, family-run character typical of Westray accommodation.
Traditional stone cottages in the vicinity of the 16th-century Noltland Castle ruin, offering a sense of Orcadian history and remote quiet. Exact properties vary — verify current availability.
A small, well-regarded hostel popular with cyclists, walkers, and budget-conscious visitors. Situated in a converted stone building with views toward the coast.
Several working and semi-working farms on Westray offer converted cottages or outbuildings as self-catering lets. These provide authentic immersion in Orcadian agricultural life and are typically booked via island-specific channels.
A long-standing local hotel in the heart of the island's main village, historically serving as a social hub with bar and food service. Proximity to the pier and village amenities is its key advantage.
Westray permits responsible wild camping in line with Scottish outdoor access rights. A small number of designated or informal camping spots exist. Facilities are minimal; this is genuine remote island camping.
Places Travelers Talk About
AI-researched from well-known properties — always verify current status, rates and availability before booking. Nothing here is a paid placement.
Hotels
The closest thing Westray has to a conventional hotel; a converted Victorian manse offering en-suite rooms and evening meals. Long-established and well-regarded among island visitors.
A long-standing local hotel in the heart of the island's main village, historically serving as a social hub with bar and food service. Proximity to the pier and village amenities is its key advantage.
Hostels
A small, well-regarded hostel popular with cyclists, walkers, and budget-conscious visitors. Situated in a converted stone building with views toward the coast.
B&Bs
Small B&Bs near the Rapness ferry terminal convenient for late arrivals or early departures. Family-operated, representative of the island's informal, personal hospitality style.
A small B&B within reasonable reach of Pierowall's services, operated by island residents. Represents the intimate, family-run character typical of Westray accommodation.
Apartments
Self-catering lets near the Knap of Howar, a Neolithic farmstead site of significant archaeological importance. Staying in this area combines dramatic coastal scenery with proximity to one of Northern Europe's oldest standing buildings.
Isolated coastal self-catering options near the Noup Head RSPB reserve, one of Scotland's premier seabird cliffs. Suitable for wildlife enthusiasts; requires a car and self-sufficiency.
Farm Stays
Several working and semi-working farms on Westray offer converted cottages or outbuildings as self-catering lets. These provide authentic immersion in Orcadian agricultural life and are typically booked via island-specific channels.
Heritage Stays
Traditional stone cottages in the vicinity of the 16th-century Noltland Castle ruin, offering a sense of Orcadian history and remote quiet. Exact properties vary — verify current availability.
Campgrounds
Westray permits responsible wild camping in line with Scottish outdoor access rights. A small number of designated or informal camping spots exist. Facilities are minimal; this is genuine remote island camping.
What Accommodation Costs
When to Book
Peak season is June through August, when puffins are visible at Noup Head and the long Orcadian daylight hours attract visitors. The Westray Folk Festival (typically held in June) causes a sharp spike in demand across all accommodation types; properties can be fully booked months in advance for festival dates.
May and September offer quieter conditions and more availability, though weather is less predictable. Winter visits (November–March) are possible but many self-catering properties and some B&Bs close seasonally — always confirm before booking.
Booking lead times: For peak summer weeks or festival dates, 3–6 months ahead is not excessive given the island's small accommodation pool. Even shoulder season bookings benefit from early planning. Last-minute availability on Westray is genuinely rare.
Before You Book
- Ferry dependency: Most visitors arrive by ferry from Kirkwall (approx. 1.5 hours); there is also a short inter-island flight. Book ferry or flights alongside accommodation — the two are linked.
- Car or bicycle essential: Outside Pierowall village, a car or bicycle is needed to reach most accommodation and attractions. Check whether your property is genuinely walkable to services.
- Seasonal closures: Several self-catering cottages and some B&Bs close between October and March or April. Confirm operating dates directly with the property.
- Minimum stays: Many self-catering cottages require a minimum 3–7 night stay in peak season. Weekend-only stays may not be possible at some properties.
- Meals: Westray has very limited restaurant/café options. Self-catering stays are practical; B&Bs that include breakfast add real value. Ask hosts explicitly about evening meal options.
- Grocery supply: The island shop in Pierowall has basic supplies; a larger food shop before the ferry from Kirkwall is advisable for longer self-catering stays.
- Mobile and internet: Coverage and broadband quality vary across the island. If connectivity matters, ask the property directly.
- Payment: Some smaller B&Bs and farmhouses prefer cash or bank transfer. Confirm payment methods before arrival.
- Tourism Levy: Scotland's Visitor Levy Act passed in 2024; check whether local operators are applying a charge at the time of your booking.
Booking Safely
Westray's accommodation market is small and largely operated by known local families, which reduces (but does not eliminate) the risk of fraudulent listings. When booking self-catering cottages, use reputable platforms or contact operators directly via verifiable local tourism websites such as Visit Orkney. Be cautious of listings that request payment by bank transfer outside a booking platform without any written confirmation. For direct bookings with B&Bs, a written email confirmation stating dates, price, and cancellation terms provides basic protection. If a listing has no reviews and requests unusual payment methods, treat this as a warning sign.
Getting Around From Your Accommodation
Westray has no public bus service of note, and taxi availability is very limited. Most visitors bring or hire a car, or use bicycles — the island is manageable by bike for fit travellers. Staying in Pierowall village minimises transport dependency but still requires effort to reach coastal highlights. The Rapness ferry terminal is several miles from Pierowall; accommodation providers will often arrange or advise on transfers if notified in advance. The island's airstrip (connected to Papa Westray by the world's shortest scheduled flight) is close to Pierowall. Factor in that your accommodation location on this island directly determines whether you need motorised transport for everyday activity.
Family & Group Stays
Self-catering cottages are the most practical option for families, offering kitchen facilities and flexibility around meal times — important given the island's limited restaurant options. Several properties have gardens or farmland access suitable for children. B&Bs with evening meals can work well for smaller family groups. Confirm sleeping arrangements carefully: some cottages have loft or mezzanine bedrooms not suitable for young children. The island is broadly safe and low-traffic, making it a relaxed environment for families, but parents should confirm water safety near coastal properties.
Longer Stays
Westray does not have serviced apartments or aparthotels in any conventional sense. Extended stays are best arranged through self-catering cottage rentals, some of which offer reduced weekly or monthly rates negotiated directly with owners. A small number of properties have been rented on longer-term bases for workers or those seeking extended island residency; this is arranged privately rather than through mainstream booking platforms. Anyone planning a stay of several weeks should contact the Orkney Islands Council or local community contacts for guidance on suitable options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Westray is reached by ferry from Kirkwall (Orkney mainland), taking approximately 1.5 hours, or by a short inter-island flight. The ferry docks at Rapness in the south of the island, while most accommodation and services are centred around Pierowall in the north — several miles away. If you are not bringing a car, arrange transfers with your accommodation host in advance.
Westray has a small number of properties that function in a hotel-like capacity — most notably the Cleaton House Hotel and the Pierowall Hotel — but these are modest, island-scale operations rather than conventional chain hotels. Verify their current operating status before booking.
It is possible but requires planning. Staying in or near Pierowall village makes some attractions walkable, and bicycle hire is available on the island. However, the main wildlife and archaeological sites, and most self-catering cottages, require either a car or a willingness to cycle distances on occasionally hilly and exposed roads.
As early as possible for summer visits, particularly June and July. The island's total accommodation capacity is small, and the Westray Folk Festival (typically June) fills available rooms months in advance. Even shoulder-season visits benefit from booking 2–3 months ahead.
Not reliably. Westray has one main shop and very limited café or restaurant options, concentrated in Pierowall. Most accommodation outside the village requires self-catering capacity. Stock up on Kirkwall before boarding the ferry for extended self-catering stays.
Yes — Bis Geos Hostel is a well-regarded small hostel that has served budget travellers and cyclists for a number of years. It typically offers dormitory and private room options. Verify current availability and booking directly, as capacity is limited.
Yes, a small number of working or semi-working farms offer self-catering cottages or B&B-style accommodation. These tend to be booked through local Orkney tourism channels or word of mouth rather than major platforms, so checking Visit Orkney's accommodation listings is advisable.
AI-researched guide, generated 2026-09-10. Property status, rates and policies change — verify with the property before booking.
Westray Orkney Islands Stays Talk – Vibes
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