Earls Palace, Orkney - Photo ©
Dorcas Sinclair, 19 January 1997
Earls Palace, Orkney - Photo ©
John Comloquoy, 8 August 2007
Earls Palace, Orkney - Photo ©
John Comloquoy, 8 August 2007
Earls Palace, Orkney - Photo © Dorcas Sinclair, 19 January 1997 |
Earls Palace, Orkney - Photo © John Comloquoy, 8 August 2007 |
Earls Palace, Orkney - Photo © John Comloquoy, 8 August 2007 |
The Earl's Palace in Birsay, Orkney, Scotland, is a ruined castle. It was built by Robert Stewart between 1569 and 1574, 1st Earl of Orkney, an illegitimate son of James V. Earl Robert Stewart was the half-brother of Mary, Queen of Scots. It is said that he used the forced labour of the local people and that the palace was finished to a sumptuous standard. For the Orcadians, this was a time of great tyranny and oppression. The palace was later completed by his son Earl Patrick.
The first phase of work consisted of the great hall being located in the south range, above the main door. Beside this was Lord Orkney's private chamber, in the south-east corner tower. The second phase saw a new range, containing a great hall and chamber, built on the north side of the courtyard. By 1700 the palace had fallen into decay, and generations of Orcadians used the stone from the palace to build their houses.
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