In the first event of its kind, the two North Isles’ Rangers led a joint expedition to Papay on Sunday June 8th, taking advantage of Orkney Ferries’ Sunday excursion. Anne Bignall’s Eday group met up with Rod Thorne’s Sanday contingent, and arrived on Papa Westray at noon.
A minibus shuttle soon had the 2-dozen strong group in the company of Papay’s RSPB Summer Warden Lorna Dow, who led everyone round the first part of the island’s spectacular North Hill reserve. The weather was superb, and time on the island was far too short. Lorna’s commentary along the way helped us learn about both the natural history (with cameo appearances by Tysties, Kittiwakes, and Guillemots ) and man-made additions (the 1948 ‘Bellavista’ shipwreck, the goosie-quoys and plantie-quoys).
We stopped, too, by the memorial to the last (British) Great Auk at Fowl Craig; then returned inside the coastal dyke, and were fortunate enough to be shown a couple of specimens of the island’s showpiece flower – Primula scotica.
In the short time remaining, the group was ‘bussed back down to Holland Farm where nearly everyone managed both a look inside the charming croft museum in the bothy and a brief visit to the Knap of Howar. 
Some even had a glimpse at Holland’s Mill tramp, first recorded in 1823, and its spectacular wooden beams. Mr and Mrs Rendall are delighted that visitors take an interest, but caution that it’s a working farm and they may not always be around to guide folk. If you visit, please take care.
Photographs © Roderick Thorne, 2008 :
1. Papay Excursion Day – groups from both Eday and Sanday joined up for a walk led by Lorna Dow around part of the North Hill reserve.
2. Admiring Primula scotica
3. The roof-beams of the Mill tramp at Holland Farm
