Noltland Castle facts for kids
Noltland Castle is an old castle found near Pierowall on the island of Westray. This island is part of the Orkney Islands in Scotland. The castle was mostly built in the late 1500s, but it was never fully finished. Today, it is a protected historic site, meaning it's very important and looked after.
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Who Built Noltland Castle?
In 1560, a man named Adam Bothwell, who was the Bishop of Orkney, gave the land of Noltland to his brother-in-law, Gilbert Balfour. Gilbert Balfour then started building the castle.
Gilbert Balfour was an important person at the time. He was the Master of the Royal Household for Mary, Queen of Scots. This meant he helped manage the Queen's home and staff. He was also involved in the political events surrounding Queen Mary and her husband, Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley.
Changes in Ownership
After Queen Mary lost her power and went into exile, Gilbert Balfour continued to support her. Because of this, Robert Stewart, 1st Earl of Orkney, who was against Queen Mary's supporters, took control of Noltland Castle. However, in the early 1570s, he had to give it back to Balfour.
Gilbert Balfour was later executed in Sweden in 1576. In 1598, the castle was again taken by the Earl of Orkney, this time Patrick Stewart, 2nd Earl of Orkney, who was Robert's son. By 1606, the castle was returned to the Balfour family. They then sold it to Sir John Arnot, who was a very important person in Edinburgh and later became the Sheriff of Orkney.
What Happened During the Wars?
In 1650, during a time of big conflicts known as the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, soldiers who supported the King (called Royalists) stayed at Noltland Castle. This was after they lost a battle called the Battle of Carbisdale.
Local people known as Covenanters, who had different beliefs, captured the castle and set it on fire. By 1881, Noltland Castle was already described as a ruin. In 1911, the Balfour family gave the castle to the state to be looked after. Today, Historic Environment Scotland takes care of it.
What Does Noltland Castle Look Like?
Noltland Castle is built in a special style called a "Z-plan." This means it has a main rectangular building with two towers at opposite corners, making it look a bit like the letter Z from above. In the 1600s, a courtyard was added to the south side of the castle.
The castle is famous for its strong defenses, which were quite unusual for its time. It has many "shot holes," which are small openings for firing weapons. The castle also has a very large staircase. Some people compare this staircase to the one found at Fyvie Castle in Aberdeenshire.
See also
In Spanish: Castillo de Noltland para niños
