Tiny Papa Westray — Papay to locals — is one of the smallest inhabited Orkney islands and one of the most rewarding. The Knap of Howar on the west coast is one of the oldest preserved stone houses in northern Europe, dated to 3700 BCE, predating Skara Brae by 500 years. North Hill, at the island's northern tip, is an RSPB reserve with great skua, arctic skua, and arctic tern colonies.
Reached either by a longer ferry from Kirkwall or by the famous two-minute flight from Westray (the world's shortest scheduled flight). The island has a community-run hostel, guesthouse, and shop. A day or two is plenty.