Pierowall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pierowall |
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 The bay at Pierowall |
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 Pierowall
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| Population | 570 |
| OS grid reference | HY4348 |
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| Council area | |
| Lieutenancy area | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Orkney |
| Postcode district | KW17 |
| Dialling code | 01857 |
| Police | Northern |
| Fire | Highlands and Islands |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament |
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| Scottish Parliament |
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Pierowall is a small village located on Westray, one of the beautiful Orkney Islands off the northern coast of Scotland. It's the biggest village on Westray and sits near the island's northern tip, right by Pierowall Bay. This area is super old! You can find amazing historical sites here from different time periods, like the Stone Age (Neolithic), the Iron Age, and the Middle Ages. It even has a large ancient Norse burial ground.
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Life in Pierowall: Shops and Services
Even though Pierowall is a small village on an island, it has many useful services for its residents. You'll find a post office here, which is handy for sending letters and packages. There are also shops where people can buy everyday items. The village has a junior high school, so younger students can learn close to home. For visitors, there's a hotel. Pierowall also has a fire station, which helps keep everyone safe.
Getting Around: Travel and Weather
Pierowall has a harbour where ferries arrive, connecting the village to other places. About seven miles south of the village, at the very tip of Westray, is the main ferry terminal in Rapness. From Rapness, you can catch ferries to nearby Papa Westray and Kirkwall, which is the largest town in the Orkney Islands.
The weather in Pierowall is typical for a coastal area. Summers are cool, and winters are mild. It can get quite windy, and there's more rain than in some other parts of Scotland. If you're visiting, you can stay at the Pierowall Hotel right in the village centre.
Ancient History: Exploring Pierowall's Past
Pierowall is rich in history, with many ancient sites to explore.
Stone Age Discoveries
Near the village, archaeologists found a chambered cairn, which is an ancient stone burial chamber from the Neolithic period (Stone Age). Inside, there's a stone with amazing carvings. These carvings might have been made by the same people who created similar designs at Newgrange in County Meath, Ireland.
Iron Age Homes
The area also has a great example of an Atlantic roundhouse. These were large, circular homes built from dry stone during the Iron Age. They show how people lived thousands of years ago.
Noltland Castle: A Stronghold of the Past
To the west of Pierowall, you can see the ruins of Noltland Castle. This castle was built in the 16th century by a man named Gilbert Balfour. It's famous for its huge spiral staircase, which is one of the biggest in Scotland. What makes it truly special are its three levels of gunloops (small openings for firing guns), which are very rare in Europe.
Lady Kirk: A Historic Church
The Lady Kirk is a ruined church that stands on the foundations of an even older church from the 13th century. The current ruins date back to 1674. It's one of two ruined churches on Westray and is protected as a scheduled ancient monument by Historic Environment Scotland. Other important old buildings include the Trenabie Bere Mill and Gill Pier at Pierowall Harbour, which was built in 1870.
Westray Heritage Centre
In the heart of the village, you'll find the Westray Heritage Centre. This is a great place to learn more about the island's history and culture. There's also an art gallery nearby.
Archaeological Finds: Viking Graves
Pierowall is a very important place for archaeology.
Viking Burials
Among the sand dunes near Pierowall, archaeologists have found and dug up Viking graves from the 9th century. These graves contained many interesting items, called "grave-goods." These included weapons, a gold arm-ring, keys, combs, and a special penannular brooch. This brooch is unique because it combines both Celtic and Viking art styles.
Norse Cemetery
Experts believe that Pierowall is home to "the largest pagan Norse cemetery to be found in Britain." This means it's a huge burial ground for Vikings who followed their traditional Norse religion before Christianity. Because of this, any new building projects in the area must be careful to check for archaeological remains before they start digging.
