Earls Palace Kirkwall

Earls Palace Kirkwall Details

Earls Palace, Kirkwall, a ruined and incomplete C17 courtyard castle/palace of the Earl of Orkney, abandoned and ruined C17.

  • Closest To: Kirkwall
  • Access: Chargeable Public Access
  • Grid Reference: HY450108

The Earls Palace Kirkwall is one of the most remarkable surviving renaissance buildings in Scotland, and for it to appear in Orkney is no less surprising. Dating to the early 17th century it was primarily built by Earl Patrick Stewart, and never fully completed. Having taken over the building from the bishop, he had decided that it was not grand enough, and press-ganged workmen, “acquired” the land and materials necessary to build it. Summoned to Edinburgh, the building was incomplete when he was arrested, and his illegitimate son Robert did not attempt to seize it during his rebellion. Both were later executed.

The building was occupied by the Bishops until 1688 and then abandoned by the Crown. Built around a courtyard, the existing drum tower and hall of the bishops were augmented by the large U-shaped  mansion consisting of a rectangular hall block running north-south with an offset square tower on the north-west corner, and a wing at the southern end of the west facade which contained stairs and chambers, and which abutted the hall block of the Bishops Palace. A square gate tower and L-shaped courtyard wall completed the palace courtyard. The building survives intact but roofless, and is maintained by Historic Environment Scotland.

Official Historic Scotland page

HES Canmore database entry

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