Westraak Tours
Westraak Tours
5
8:45 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
8:45 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
8:45 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
8:45 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
8:45 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
8:45 AM - 6:00 PM
Full view
About
Guided Tours of the beautiful island of Westray including history, archaeology, wildlife, local culture and a home cooked lunch.
Pierowall, Scotland
Awards
Travellers' Choice
2023
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5.0
155 reviews
Excellent
153
Very good
2
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843wag14
Cambridge, UK37 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
Such a lovely day seeing the sights of Westray, many of which we wouldn’t have seen if we’d been on our own. The tour was very informative, the lunch (with mainly locally sourced ingredients) was delicious and the icing on the cake was Karen’s experiences and local knowledge as a born and bred Westray islander (together with her wonderful dialect!). A great day out.
Written 2 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello
Thank you for your lovely review and thanks again for joining us back in early August. Since you were here the puffins have left to go back to sea and Westray is feeling quite autumnal.
Please give Rory a pat from us.
Best wishes
Andy & Karen
Written 11 August 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
johnsuggestions
London, UK326 contributions
Jul 2023 • Friends
We (4 of us) arrived in Westray for a one night stay and had already planned to walk up to Noup Head that day. The taxi driver (who was also the fireman, baggage handler, shop owner, farmer…) recommended Andy & Karen. We therefore gave them a call and luckily they were able to take us out that evening to Castle O’Burrian. Picked us up at 9pm and back by 11pm (of course not yet dark!). They were both engaging and able to cope with us 4 that ranged from some who knew about birds and some who do not. Lovely evening.
Written 15 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for your kind review. We really enjoyed your company, and were delighted that you'd arranged such a beautiful evening of weather for the trip. Next time you come, please do join us for the day! We'll arrange for Alfred the Puffin to be there again for you! Lovely to meet you all.
Written 17 July 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Olafur O
Edinburgh, UK7 contributions
May 2023
Visiting Westray was a wonderful experience; it was interesting to learn about the Island and its treasures. Karen and Andy were knowledgeable and as our hosts friendly and welcoming with fantastic home hospitality. We can highly recommend them.
Written 5 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello Olafur
Thanks for your review and thanks for joining us back in May. We really enjoyed the company of the four of you and Karen regularly quotes your 'Quoy/Kvi' confirmation! Hope you are all doing fine.
Best wishes
Andy and Karen
Written 5 July 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jeff T
Great Malvern, UK90 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
We had an absolutely lovely, interesting and informative day with Karen and Andy at Westraak, thank you. Caring and interesting throughout, we were made very welcome in their home and we were very well fed indeed. They took us to places that most visitors will never get to see, and were a fund of easily communicated friendly knowledge throughout. At the end of the day our flight back to Kirkwall was delayed and they readily coped with the situation with care and friendly kindness. Our recommendation: do not hesitate for one moment to book yourselves on to a Westraak Tour - you’ll have a memorable day with Karen and Andy
Written 14 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello Jeff
Thanks for your review and thanks so much for coming over to Westray in June. We really enjoyed showing you both around and its always a special day for us when we have guests with Westray connections.
Hope to see you back here again in the future, Karen would love to see a copy of the memoirs!
Best wishes
Andy and Karen
Written 5 July 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lucia K
3 contributions
May 2023
We want to thank Karen & Andy for a wonderful tour of Westray. It was a spectacular day & one of the most memorable of our recent trip to Scotland. They provided a fantastic lunch of local delicacies including homemade soup, fresh rolls from the bakery, local butter, cheeses & jams, smoked fish, & the best Sticky Toffee Pudding for dessert! The sights were amazing and we enjoyed our treks out to see nesting seabirds along the cliffs. The highlight for me was seeing Puffins! We can highly recommend their tour!
Written 22 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello!
Thanks for joining us in may and thanks so much for your review, apologies, its taken a while to reply. Our excuse is we have been busy, the tours have been going well and the puffins have by and large been behaving and appearing in good numbers. Now that they have a puffling you can see them during the day in good numbers too. Hope your long journey home was a smooth one, its been a bit warmer here in June but back to cool breezes now unfortunately.
Best wishes
Andy and Karen
Written 5 July 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Andy F
Carlisle, UK8 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
Andy & Karen are enthusiastic, knowledgeable and personable. After a Westray island tour in 2017 we contacted them again this year for an evening puffin tour. It was excellent.
No visit to Orkney should be undertaken without using these people to enhance your visit.
No visit to Orkney should be undertaken without using these people to enhance your visit.
Written 13 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello
Thanks for your review. It was good to welcome you to Westray again and be able to show you puffins this time. We're pleased you enjoyed your return visit to Westray, safe travels and maybe see you here again in the future?!
Best wishes
Andy & Karen
Written 18 May 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Chris_from_the_East
Norfolk, UK23 contributions
Mar 2023
Definitely recommend a visit to the beautiful island of Westray and booking with Andy and Karen. We visited in March so out of puffin season (late April to August) and although they were not yet open they very kindly organised a brilliant tour for us in their very comfortable mini-bus. Karen and Andy welcomed us to their home and listened to what we were interested in and then gave us a most excellent tour. We visited beautiful beaches, stunning Notland castle, a viking long house and a tour of the island including a great view of the island of Papa Westray. We went over on the ferry from Kirkness to Rapness at the southern tip of Westray (1 1/2 hours which was part of the holiday) and they met us at the ferry terminal and returned us back there at the end of the day. Such a brilliant day and I'm planning to go back to see the puffins with Westraak Tours,
Written 25 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello!
Thanks for your lovely review, apologies for not replying before now but we had a few computer issues and are just getting back up and running with a new machine. Thanks for joining us back in March, your enthusiasm gave us a great boost for the new season. We are in full swing now, the puffins and other seabirds are back and we are enjoying showing guests around our island. Just hoping for a bit of warmer weather now!
Best wishes
Andy and Karen
Written 18 May 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
2KaTTs
Washington2,774 contributions
Sep 2022 • Couples
Even though the weather didn't cooperate for us, Andy and Karen provided a fun, memorable tour of an island we wouldn't have experienced otherwise. From pick-up and drop-off at the ferry terminal to visits to their home for delicious snacks and meal, to visits to Westray's amazing historical and natural sites, all was well orchestrated and informative. Highly recommended, unique experience.
Written 23 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello!
Thanks for your review, we really do appreciate it when folk take the time to write one. We're delighted you had a good day over here with us, I vaguely recall that you don't normally take organised tours so that's even better. It was certainly a fine day for us, your group made it an easy day for us despite that downpour at the Links of Noltland site in the afternoon. We've had a mixed bag of weather so far in September but unfortunately it looks like an equinox storm is heading our way next week.
Hope the rest of your big trip around Scotland went well,
Best wishes
Andy and Karen
Written 24 September 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Limesorbet
Glasgow, UK7 contributions
Aug 2022 • Solo
A fantastic tour of Westray, covering the historical/archaeological highlights, the most beautiful/interesting parts of the island and a chance to see the seabirds that were still there in late summer. A delicious lunch including local produce - the previous reviews saying how wonderful the sticky toffee pudding was were spot on! A thoroughly enjoyable day in the company of very welcoming and knowledgable guides, I’d highly recommend.
Written 30 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello
Thanks for your review, we really appreciate taking the time to write one. Thanks for joining us in Westray, it was a pleasure to show you around. We are still touring (last ones in October) but its feeling very autumnal now and all but the fulmars and some of the gannets have left Noup Head.
Best wishes
Andy & Karen
Written 19 September 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ann B
North Yorkshire, UK386 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
What a great day out! Andy and Karen welcomed us in to their lovely family home to meet Callum and share a wonderful home cooked lunch of locally grown produce with them. (Sticky toffee pudding with sour stewed rhubarb was surprisingly yummy! They have a love of island history and knowledge of archeology and local sites were brought to life. An excellent couple to spend time with. Many thanks!
Written 30 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello
Thanks for your review, we always appreciate folk taking the time out to write one. Thanks for joining us in Westray, its nearly a month ago already. We are still out on tours, our last ones will be in October by which time all but the fulmars will have left. Callum is doing fine and still drawing!
Best wishes, Andy & Karen.
Written 19 September 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Denae M
Melbourne, Australia16 contributions
Hi!! Coming from Aus with my partner (who’s from Scotland!) will be staying with family but taking off on our own for a short trip around the north coast of Scotland. I’d LOVE to visit westray (slightly obsessed with puffins) but not sure if I can leave John o’groats / Thurso get to the main oarkney island then to westray in one day? Is this possible or would we need to stay in oarkney? Thanks for your help :-)
Seattle-Maddog
Newcastle, Australia81 contributions
It’s doable but probably a long day, and a late arrival in Westray because there are only a couple of ferries each day.
We did a tour with Westraak, and they are a wonderful couple providing great tours.
The main island is worth at least a day or two to see the Neolithic sites, Burnside B&B in Stromness is fantastic and there are great Airbnb options. Have fun.
Denae M
Melbourne, Australia16 contributions
Hi!! Coming from Aus with my partner (who’s from Scotland!) will be staying with family but taking off on our own for a short trip around the north coast of Scotland. I’d LOVE to visit westray (slightly obsessed with puffins) but not sure if I can leave John o’groats / Thurso get to the main oarkney island then to westray in one day? Is this possible or would we need to stay in oarkney? Thanks for your help :-)
calabs1082
East Brunswick, NJ
my wife and I will be cruising to Kirkwall on June 4th on Norwegian line, arriving at 11am and leaving 7pm. We're looking for a tour that will take us to the Quaholm farmhouse (my wife's ancestors lived there), as well as some of the Neolithic sites. Is there any availability on this date, and if so, what would be the cost. Hope to hear from you soon!
Andy and Karen P
11 contributions
Hi. Sorry, we are based in the north isles, Westray, and offer local westray tours only.
We are another ferry link away from where you will be docking, sadly, otherwise we would have been happy to offer you a tour of westray. However, the westray ferry leaves before you are due to dock. Sorry. Hope you find someone on the mainland of orkney who can help you with a tour. Enjoy your trip!
Darlene F
Lake Placid31 contributions
There are 4 senior adults in our party and we would like to locate a tour that includes a rail trip and definitely a trip over to Orkney Island April 22, 2017. We have searched for weeks and cannot seem to find a tour that includes transportation and lodging. None of us are keen on renting a car, so as "inclusive" as it could be would be best for us. We could depart from Glasgow or Edinburgh and are looking for a trip about 7 to 10 days long. Any suggestions anyone has would be very much appreciated.
Jocky
Birmingham, UK426 contributions
You can get as far as Thurso by train - then take a ferry to the Orkney mainland - or you can fly to Kirkwall
You can also fly (to some) or take a ferry to the smaller islands
Both of the island tours we've done meet you at the ferry
Jean085
London, UK22 contributions
What time do the tours start and finish? We will be staying in Kirkwall during the last week in June.Would the ferry get us to Westray in time?
JRoss1103
Edinburgh, Scotland11 contributions
Hi Jean
There is a half day and full day trip available from Westraak Tours and I think the first ferry from Kirkwall is about 7:30 in the morning.
We did not actually do one of the "normal" tours as our time on Westray was quite short. Graham was happy to tailor something specific for our needs.
I am sure that if you get in touch with hime direct he'll be able to answer your questions and come up with a tour that suits your needs. He is very friendly and helpful and was happy to change his normal route to satisfy our timetable.
Hope this helps
Gordon