In 1882-4, Frances Groome's Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland described Papa Stour like this:
Papa Stour, an island of Walls parish, Shetland. Lying on the S side of the entrance of St Magnus Bay, 34 miles NW of Lerwick, it is separated by the Sound of Papa, 1 mile broad at the narrowest, from the north-western extremity of the Mainland section of Walls, and measures 27/8 miles in length west-north-westward, whilst its breadth varies between 4½ furlongs and 2¼ miles. ...
It is engirt, at near distances, by picturesque porphyritic stacks, shooting vertically from the sea like stupendous towers or castellated keeps; on its S side is pierced by several magnificent and very curious caves, the abodes of numerous seals; is indented by several small voes or creeks, which afford shelter to fishing-boats; and has excellent beaches for drying fish, which were used for that purpose in last century by a great fishing company. The surface rises at Hoo Field to 115, at Virda Field to 288, feet above sea-level; and is disposed partly in arable land, with a generally fertile soil, partly in common pasture, naturally good, but much injured by maltreatment. Papa Stour was a northern centre of the early Culdees, serving as a sort of Iona to Shetland; and retained till a recent period the ancient Norwegian sword dance noticed in Sir Walter Scott's Pirate. It contains the Established church of Papa chapelry, a post office under Lerwick, and a public school. Pop. (1841) 382, (1861) 366, (187l) 351, (1881) 254.
Papa Stour through time
Papa Stour is now part of Shetland Islands district. Click here for graphs and data of how Shetland Islands has changed over two centuries. For statistics about Papa Stour itself, go to Units and Statistics.
GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth, History of Papa Stour in Shetland Islands | Map and description, A Vision of Britain through Time.
URL: https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/place/21895
Date accessed: 20th April 2024
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