Kolbeinn hrúga facts for kids

Kolbeinn hrúga was an important Norse leader who lived in the 1100s. He was from Sunnfjord, Norway, and later became very powerful in Orkney, a group of islands north of Scotland. Kolbeinn is a main character in an old story called the Orkneyinga saga, which tells about the history of Orkney.

Kolbeinn's Life and Arrival in Orkney

Kolbeinn hrúga was born in Norway. Around the year 1145, he traveled across the sea and arrived in Orkney. This was a time when Norse people, also known as Vikings, had a strong presence in these islands. Kolbeinn quickly became a well-known and influential person there.

Building Strong Castles

Soon after he arrived in Orkney, Kolbeinn started building many castles. These castles were located on the west side of the island of Wyre. His castles are some of the oldest buildings of their kind in Orkney. They show how important Kolbeinn was and how skilled he was at building.

A Powerful Political Figure

Kolbeinn hrúga was not just a builder; he was also a very powerful leader in politics. His influence was so great that he helped Eystein II become the King of Norway. This shows that Kolbeinn had connections and power far beyond just the Orkney islands.

The Legend of Cubbie Roo

There is a famous local legend about a giant named Cubbie Roo. People say this giant built Cobbie Row's Castle and other big rock formations. Many believe that the name Cubbie Roo might actually come from Kolbeinn hrúga. It's a fun way that Kolbeinn's memory lives on in the stories of Orkney.