At the time of the earliest known settlements, c. 3500 BC, in Westray and neighbouring
Papa Westray, it is believed that the two islands were joined. A
Neolithic and
Bronze Age site at the
Links of Noltland is in the care of
Historic Scotland. The site is threatened by the rapid erosion of the overlying sand dunes. Ongoing excavations have revealed over 30 buildings of Neolithic and Bronze Age date, the earliest of which overlaps in use with the
Knap of Howar on the neighbouring island of Papa Westray (known as Papay to the locals), the oldest standing structure in NW Europe. The
Westray Wife, 4 cm carved Neolithic
figurine was discovered on the Noltland dig in 2009; this is the oldest carving of a human found in the British Isles. In 2010 some local businesses reported a 45% increase in turnover since the discovery of the figurine. Since then, four further figurines have been found, together with a wealth of other artefacts (carved stone ball, decorated grooved ware pottery, numerous carved bone objects and beads etc.). In 2015, a substantial subterranean building dating from the Bronze Age was uncovered; this was very well preserved and is interpreted as a sauna. The excavations won 'Best Rescue Dig' of the year in the prestigious 2014 Current Archaeology awards. Several of the figurines and other artefacts from the site can be seen at Westray Heritage Centre and the excavation is open seasonally (free of charge). The Heritage Centre also exhibits the 'Westray Stone' - a neolithic carved stone from a chambered tomb which closely resembles the art style of the Boyne Valley in Ireland. Westray constituted a major family estate during the
saga period of the 10th - 11th centuries. Quoygrew (Scheduled Monument SM13504) has the remains of a longhouse dating from 1100AD, used continuously until the early 20th century. Langskaill appears to have been an
Iron Age settlement in use from 500 BC to the 14th century. An underground chamber was discovered in Langskaill farm in 1965. The investigation appears to indicate the abrupt disappearance of the pre-Norse culture, indicating an invasion by force by the Vikings. The Norse invaders built a large high-status settlement over the site of the earlier settlement. It was at Noltland on Westray too, that one of the most impressive castles in Orkney, and indeed the
Northern Isles, was built,
Noltland Castle. The castle was commissioned in the 1560s by
Gilbert Balfour, who probably played the leading role in the murder of
Lord Darnley, consort of
Mary, Queen of Scots. Balfour married Margaret Bothwell, the sister of
Adam Bothwell,
Bishop of Orkney who endowed him with Westray, when it was episcopal property. The castle situated above the Bay of Pierowall, was built in the 1560s. It is notable for an unusually large spiral staircase, "second only to
Fyvie Castle, while its triple tiers of
gunloops are without parallel in Scotland, if not Europe". ==Wildlife==