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u3a Walking Group - Westray - 1 June,2026
by Ellie Wiltshire - 17:04 on 04 June 2026
Ten of us set off for Westray on Monday 1st June. We caught the 7.20am ferry under a forecast of drizzle and grey skies. Arriving in Westray our first stop was the Castle of Burrian, where we stopped for a while to watch the puffins on the stack and nearby cliffs. As we walked on, the sun appeared and we soon shed our extra layers. We followed the coastal path around Stangar Head, with cliffs covered by sea pinks, sea campion, and sea mayweed. Leaving the path, we took a farm track lined with gorse-covered banks. By the time we reached the Bay of Tafts—having crossed from the North Sea to the Atlantic—the tide was out, and we spotted sanderlings., Arctic terns and other small waders along the shoreline. After leaving the beach, we walked a short way back along the road to our cars for tea and coffee.
Our next stop was an excellent lunch at Saintear in Pierowall.
Our afternoon walk began on the machair, a broad stretch of windblown sand covered in short turf that runs from Pierowall to Grobust beach. At the shore, sloping slabs of blue-grey rock were carpeted with sea pinks, the sand glowed gold, and the sea shone turquoise. We then returned to the road, visited Noltland Castle, and made our way back to the cars along a path beside the golf course.
To round off a lovely day, we drove to the gallery for tea, and some of us had cake before catching the 17.55 ferry home.
It was a superb day: sunshine for most of the day, no rain, and no wind. We covered about eight miles, enjoying two beautiful beaches, flower-covered cliffs, plenty of birdlife, a few seals, an excellent lunch, and, above all, great company.
Future walks
Friday 19th June – Walk led by James
Monday 7th July – Walk led by Ellie
Further details for both walks will be sent closer to the date.
Ellie Wiltshire
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