Holm View - Papa Westray, Orkney
4-Star Self-catering Cottage
Holm View, Papa Westray
Holm View is near the east pier and some of the safe sandy beaches of Papay (the local name for Papa Westray), with extensive views towards the Holm of Papay and
towards the north end of the island.
Sitting Room
Holm View is a comfortable detached cottage of simple longhouse shape, with a bedroom at each end (each with an ensuite shower room) and a roomy open-plan living space in the middle, with sitting, dining and kitchen areas.
Double Bedroom
One bedroom has a king size double bed, the other has twin beds and is designed to be accessible for disabled people.
Twin Bedroom
The cottage is fully equipped for four people (and a small child, for whom a cot and high chair are available on request). It is well heated by electricity and there is also a gas fired stove for additional warmth when necessary. Bed linen and towels are provided. Smoking is not permitted, nor are we able to accommodate pets. There are no extra charges. The well-stocked island shop is within 15 minutes' walk of Holm View. We will be happy to take orders in advance for collection on arrival.
Kitchen
About Papa Westray
Papay is a small, peaceful and friendly isle. For those who are looking for archaeological sites, wildlife, or just a chance to relax and chill out, it offers a wide variety of things to do and see. On the North Hill (an RSPB reserve) there are many breeding birds during the summer, including arctic terns, fulmars, guillemots, puffins, shags, gulls, oystercatchers, eider ducks, skuas, curlews, plovers, snipe . . . . You may also hear the distinctive croak of a corncrake from a field near the cottage. You may find primula scotica and other special flora associated with the terrain. Seals haul out on the rocks, or sing as they sun themselves off the Holm. The neolithic Knap of Howar at Holland, the chambered cairn on the Holm, the restored ancient church of St Boniface and the ruined chapel of St Tredwall are all of archaeological interest. There is also a small bothy museum at Holland.
The winter days are short, and the weather on Papay is very variable - there are some strong winds and occasional fierce storms, and also calm days of beautiful sunshine. But the Gulf stream keeps us relatively warm (there are seldom more than a few days of snow or hard frost), and Holm View is exceptionally well insulated and heated.
The isle may be found on the Ordnance Survey Explorer map number 464 (1:25,000) or the Landranger map 5 (1:50,000).
Dining Room
Bookings
Bookings are normally taken for whole weeks from Saturday to Saturday. From November until April, when the cottage is
available at a weekly winter rate, we also welcome guests wishing to take short breaks of two nights or longer.
For more details about Holm View, and to make bookings, please send an e-mail to:
jimawalker@hotmail.com
or phone 07723 367443
Entry in visitors book, October 2001: 'We have had a wonderful week's bird watching. 82 species including Little Auk, Grey Phalarope, Pomarine Skua and Papa Westray's first Red Flanked Bluetail. Superb cottage'.
