Westray: Heritage | Westray and Papa Westray Orkney

The Westray Stone

Karen — Sat, 14 Sep 2024 11:41:18 +0000

In 1981, when quarrying, workmen unearthed a large decorated stone which was subsequently deemed to be 4000 – 5000 years old. Called the Westray Stone, it is a unique example of Neolithic carving, considered of national importance, and now has been returned to Westray for display in the foyer.

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Links of Noltland Dig

Hazel Moore — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 13:55:55 +0000

The archaeological excavation at Links of Noltland is not currently active.

Artefacts from the dig can be seen at the Westray Heritage Centre- including the famous ‘Westray Wife’ figurine, the oldest human representation yet found in the British Isles. Since digging discontinued pre-covid, focus has switched to post excavation research with many interesting findings. Current Archaeology included a special feature on an award winning project using DNA samples from the Links of Noltland site in their June 2022 edition – with the links and Grobust beach on the front cover!

https://the-past.com/feature/prehistoric-pioneers-how-female-migrants-changed-the-face-of-bronze-age-orkney/

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Heritage Centre

siteAdmin — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 06:33:13 +0000

The Heritage Centre is a “must see” starting point for anyone interested in Westray’s past. Situated in the centre of Pierowall village The Heritage Centre is a Visit Scotland 4 Star Visitor Attraction.

Inside there is an an annual display plus permanent exhibition panels on walls, and a simulated geo with model seabirds and authentic bird sounds. There are also interactive displays which will attract youngsters. Many records of the island’s history and gravestone records available to browse.

Over the years the Heritage Centre has built up a large collection of black and white photos of historic significance, collated the kirk yard records from the island’s three cemeteries and gathered memories of past activities in Westray e.g. schools, kirks, sports, sea transport, Noup Head lighthouse, royal visits, fishing, crafts, World Wars 1 and 2, and the Heritage Trust continues to research a fresh subject each year.

The Heritage Centre in Pierowall village has a wide range of high quality, locally produced goods, and hand-made art and craft items available for purchase, as well as other souvenirs and gifts.

In the Heritage Centre there is now a database of many local families dating back to early 17th Century and the Trust has published a number of books and booklets on local subjects.

Admission is £4 per person with concessions at £3, or you may choose to become a friend of the Heritage Centre for an annual fee.

The Heritage Trust has its own web site at www.westrayheritage.co.uk

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Westray Wife

siteAdmin — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 17:39:08 +0000

The Westray Wife (also known as the Orkney Venus) is a small Neolithic figurine, 4 cm in height, carved from sandstone that was discovered during an Historic Scotland dig at the Links of Noltland in the summer of 2009. It was the first Neolithic carving of a human form to have been found in Scotland, and to date it is the earliest depiction of a face found in the United Kingdom.

A second figurine of about the same size and shape as the Westray Wife, but made from clay, and missing its head, was discovered by archaeologists at the same Links of Noltland site during the summer of 2010. This figurine, 3.4 cm in height, has a rectangular panel decorated with triangles on the front of its torso, which may represent a tunic, and a punched hole in the centre of its stomach. A number of small clay balls have also been discovered at the site, and it is possible that these were intended for use as heads for similar figurines.

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