 The Holm of Papa Westray, known locally as the Papay Holm, is a very small uninhabited island and can be visited from neighboring Papa Westray, an island a few hundred feet west. It's believed that Holm of Papa Westray was used by the Neolithic residents of the Knap of Howar on Papa Westray as a place to bury their dead. It is thought that in prehistoric times the Holm was a promontory attached to the larger Papa Westray island.
There are two cairns located on the Holm of Papa Westray. The South Chambered Cairn, also known as the Diss o'the Holm, is by far the most impressive. It is a Maeshowe-type cairn, has a chamber over 65 feet long with twelve side cells, two of which are double and all of which are intact. The original height was at least nine feet and the chamber oversailed to reach a ceiling width of over 2-1/2 feet, being roofed with lintels. On the southeast wall of the main chamber there are several carvings of dots, circles and other shapes. The entry passage faces southeast, in contrast to Maeshowe's southwest. No evidence remains of any contents of the tomb. The narrow central passage with its rows of side cells has been compared with the Skara Brae “street”, suggesting that the cairn may be a “house for the ancestors.”
About the Holm of Papa Westray South Chambered Cairn
Megalithic Portal: Holm of Papa Westray South
Stone Pages: Holm of Papa Westray South
The Modern Antiquarian: Holm of Papa Westray
Wikipedia: Holm of Papa
Journey to the Holm of Papa Westray South Chambered Cairn
Visitors to the Holm of Papa Westray can arrange privately for small boat access through the School Place B&B or the Co-op shop on Papa Westray. Papa Westray is one of the North Isles of Orkney and may be visited by ferry or air from Kirkwall. There is also a ferry that leaves from Pierowall on Westray for Papa Westray numerous times daily.
Ordnance Survey Map (HY507518)
Visitors Information
Visitors and general tourism information for Papa Westray may be found on the Papa Westray website. General tourist information for Orkney as a whole may be found on the Visit Orkney website.
Additional Photos of the Holm of Papa Westray South Chambered Cairn
Approaching Holm of Papa Westray South Chambered Cairn by Sea
Approaching Holm of Papa Westray South Chambered Cairn on Land
Descriptive Sign at Holm of Papa Westray South Chambered Cairn
Historic Scotland Sign at Holm of Papa Westray South Chambered Cairn
Original Entrance to the Holm of Papa Westray South Chambered Cairn
New Entrance to the Holm of Papa Westray South Chambered Cairn
New Entrance Ladder and Central Chamber of the Holm of Papa Westray South Chambered Cairn
One End of the Central Chamber of the Holm of Papa Westray South Chambered Cairn
One End of the Central Chamber of the Holm of Papa Westray South Chambered Cairn
Entry to One of the End Cells of the Holm of Papa Westray South Chambered Cairn
Inside One of the End Cells in the Holm of Papa Westray South Chambered Cairn
Entry to one of 12 Side Cells in the Holm of Papa Westray South Chambered Cairn
Entry to one of 12 Side Cells in the Holm of Papa Westray South Chambered Cairn
One of 12 Side Cells in the Holm of Papa Westray South Chambered Cairn
One of 12 Side Cells in the Holm of Papa Westray South Chambered Cairn
Carved Stones Inside the Holm of Papa Westray South Chambered Cairn
Original Exit from the Holm of Papa Westray South Chambered Cairn
New Exit from the Holm of Papa Westray South Chambered Cairn
Leaving Holm of Papa Westray South Chambered Cairn
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