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The Holm of Papa or Holm of Papay is a very small uninhabited island of the Orkney islands. It is around 15 ha (1000 x 150 metres) in size.
This is a name found only on maps - it is known locally as the Papay Holm[citation needed]. It can be visited from its neighbouring island Papa Westray, or Papay, an island less than a hundred metres west of the Holm.
The main sight on the small island is the Southcairn, a 20 metre long chambered cairn dating from approx. 3500 BC[1], on whose stones one can find ancient carvings. The long, stalled cairn, built of local stone, was once a communal burial place for the bones of an ancient community. It is protected by a modern roof and entered by a trapdoor from above. It can be seen at any time during the way, but visitors must arrange privately for small boat access through the Co-op shop on Papa Westray. The cairn is readily visible from the larger island.
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ Keay, J. & Keay, J. (1994) Collins Encyclopaedia of Scotland. London. HarperCollins.
Coordinates: 59.35053° N 2.86868° W
