List of castles in Orkney facts for kids

Orkney is a group of islands located off the northern coast of Scotland. These islands are famous for their amazing history, including ancient villages, Viking stories, and, of course, castles! Castles are strong buildings that were built a long time ago to protect people and important places. They often have thick walls, towers, and sometimes even moats.

The castles in Orkney tell us a lot about the people who lived there centuries ago, from powerful bishops to Viking chiefs. Even though many of them are now ruins, they still stand as reminders of Orkney's exciting past. Let's explore some of these cool historical sites!

Exploring Orkney's Castles

Orkney has several fascinating castles and fortified homes. Each one has its own unique story and history. Many of these old buildings are now looked after by Historic Scotland, which means you can often visit them and imagine what life was like long ago.

Cubbie Roo's Castle: Scotland's Oldest Stone Castle

One of the most exciting castles in Orkney is Cubbie Roo's Castle, found on the small island of Wyre. This castle is super special because it's the earliest documented medieval stone castle in Scotland! It was built way back in 1145 by a powerful Viking chief named Kolbein Hruga. Imagine a Viking building a stone castle almost 900 years ago!

Today, Cubbie Roo's Castle is a ruin, but you can still see its strong tower house structure. It gives us a great peek into how people lived and defended themselves during the Viking Age and early medieval times in Scotland.

Bishop's Palace, Kirkwall: A Bishop's Home

In the heart of Kirkwall, Orkney's main town, stands the Bishop's Palace. This impressive tower house was first built in the 12th century. It was the home of the powerful bishops of Orkney. Over the years, it was changed and restored, especially in the 16th century.

Even though it's now a ruin, the Bishop's Palace is open to the public. You can walk through its old walls and imagine the bishops and their guests living there centuries ago. It's a great place to learn about the church's influence in Orkney's history.

Earl's Palace, Kirkwall: A Grand Fortified House

Also in Kirkwall, you'll find the Earl's Palace. This wasn't just a castle; it was a grand fortified house built in the 17th century. It was constructed by Patrick Stewart, the Earl of Orkney, who was known for being quite a powerful (and sometimes difficult!) ruler.

The Earl's Palace is a fantastic example of Scottish Renaissance architecture, even as a ruin. It shows how important and wealthy the Earls of Orkney were. Like the Bishop's Palace, it's open for visitors to explore and discover its history.

Earl's Palace, Birsay: A Coastal Ruin

On the west coast of Orkney, near the village of Birsay, are the ruins of another Earl's Palace. This palace was built in the 16th century and was also connected to the powerful Earls of Orkney. Its location by the sea would have made it a very scenic, but also strategic, place to live.

Today, this palace is a ruin, but it's still a popular spot for visitors. You can explore the remains and enjoy the beautiful coastal views around it.

Noltland Castle: A Large Tower House

Over on the island of Westray, you'll find the impressive ruins of Noltland Castle. This large tower house was built in the 16th century. It's known for its unusual features, like many gun-loops (small holes for firing guns) in its walls, showing it was built for defense.

Noltland Castle is a fascinating ruin to explore. It gives you a sense of the scale and strength of castles built during that time, especially on the more remote islands. It is also open to the public.

Other Notable Structures

While some castles are grand ruins, others have different stories:

• Balfour Castle on Shapinsay is a historic house built in 1847. It's still occupied today, showing how some old structures get new life.
• Breckness Castle near Stromness is a historic house from 1633, now a ruin. It was built by Bishop George Graham, who was the last bishop to build a house in Orkney.
• Kirkwall Castle was a castle built in the 14th century in Kirkwall. Sadly, it was completely destroyed in 1614, so there are no remains left to see today.

Images for kids

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  Balfour Castle on Shapinsay

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  The Bishop's Palace in Kirkwall

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  Breckness Castle

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  Cubbie Roo's Castle on Wyre

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  The Earl's Palace in Birsay

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  The Earl's Palace in Kirkwall

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  Noltland Castle on Westray