GP Nomad: Arran Adventure

The String Road through Arran. Credit: GP Nomad

By The GP Nomad

Continuity. The essence and cornerstone of general practice. Yet hard to achieve as a nomadic wanderer. Confirming 6 months of work on the Isle of Arran, I was looking forward to packing away my suitcase. Emails open. A new heading caught my attention. Papa Westray!? Why not?

Papa Westray, or ‘Papay’, is one of the Orkneys’ smallest islands. Measuring only four miles by one, it packs a lot into little space. A vibrant community, ancient archaeology and now Hollywood glamour as the backdrop of Saoirse Ronan’s BAFTA winning ‘The Outrun’. A film admittedly ruined by my presence in the cinema, whispering ‘I’ve been there’ every other scene. Yet, the highlight of Papay is undoubtedly the commute. It comes with a certificate, confirming you have just travelled on the world’s shortest commercial flight. Taking off from neighbouring Westray island, you soar into the sky before immediately descending onto Papay a minute and a half later. The total distance flown, shorter than Heathrow’s runway 1.