Holm of Papa

Infobox Scottish island


latitude=59.35
longitude=-2.87
GridReference=HY507519
celtic name=
norse name=
meaning of name=
area=15 ha
area rank=
highest elevation= 15 m
Population=0
population rank=
main settlement=
island group=Orkney
local authority=Orkney Islands
references= [2001 UK Census per List of islands of Scotland] Haswell-Smith] [ [http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/ Ordnance Survey] ]

The Holm of Papa or Holm of Papay, known locally as the Papay Holm, [http://www.papawestray.co.uk/] [http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/site/208] is a very small uninhabited island in the Orkney islands. It is around 15 ha (1000 x 150 metres) in size. 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,Keay, J. & Keay, J. (1994) "Collins Encyclopaedia of Scotland". London. HarperCollins.] on whose stones one can find ancient carvings. [cite web| url=http://www.papawestray.co.uk/papay/pw_official7.html| title=Holm of Papay| publisher= Papay Development Trust| accessdate=2008-10-05] 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 is possible that the inhabitants of the Knap of Howar buried their dead here. There are three ancient chambered cairns on the holm. Visitors can arrange privately for small boat access through the Co-op shop on Papa Westray. The cairn is readily visible from the larger island.

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