North Hill
Papa WestrayOpenSee opening timesExplore a magical maritime heathland, studded with delicate wildflowers and home to Puffins, Arctic Terns and seals. Wild and unforgiving, this stretch of the Orkney coast is stunning.
About
There's nowhere quite like Papa Westray. Studded with delicate wildflowers, North Hill is perhaps Orkney's finest area of maritime heath. The reserve is home to an extremely rare plant, the Scottish Primrose, while stunning low-level cliffs play host to nationally important numbers of breeding Arctic Terns and Skuas.
The low-lying cliffs along the reserve's east coast hold a small, but densely packed colony of Guillemots, Razorbills, Shags and Kittiwakes. Look out for Puffins and Black Guillemots around the coast.
Visit between May and July to look closely for the tiny precious purple blooms of Scottish Primrose. These rare flowers are found in just a few locations in Orkney and North Scotland.
If you are exploring this wildlife landscape yourself, please keep to the trail along the coast.
At a glance
Barbecue
Contact North Hill
orkney@rspb.org.uk North Hill, Papa, Orkney Islands, KW17 2BU 01856 850176