Castles · Scottish Islands
Noltland Castle
Noltland Castle — castle on the island of Westray in the Orkney Islands of Scotland.
Wikimedia Commons contributors — see linked file page for photographer and licence licence
Plan your visit
- Typical visit
- 1.5 h–3 h
- Paid entry
- Family-friendly
- Limited wheelchair access
About
Noltland Castle is a castle in the United Kingdom — fortified architecture from the medieval, Tudor, or Victorian-revival period. Heritage designation: scheduled monument. Managed by Historic Environment Scotland. Wikidata describes it as: "castle on the island of Westray in the Orkney Islands of Scotland". Coordinates: 59.3207°, -3.0044°.
Photo gallery
Heritage listing
Noltland Castle is located near Pierowall on the island of Westray in the Orkney Islands of Scotland. It dates mainly to the later 16th century, although it was never fully completed. The castle is protected as a scheduled monument.
From Historic Environment Scotland under OGL v3.
From Historic Environment Scotland
Read about Noltland Castle, the home of Gilbert Balfour – a man who had need for strong defences. Visit the site today or contact Historic Environment Scotland for more information.
Read more on the official property page.
From the Wikipedia article
Noltland Castle is located near Pierowall on the island of Westray in the Orkney Islands of Scotland. It dates mainly to the later 16th century, although it was never fully completed. The castle is protected as a scheduled monument.
Excerpt from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0. See the source article linked in Sources below.
Background
History
In 1560, Adam Bothwell, Bishop of Orkney, granted the lands of Noltland to his brother-in-law Gilbert Balfour, who built the castle. Balfour was executed in Sweden in 1576. In 1598, the castle was seized by Patrick Stewart, 2nd Earl of Orkney. By 1606, the castle had been restored to the Balfours, and it was sold to Sir John Arnot, Provost of Edinburgh, who later became Sheriff of Orkney. During the Wars of the Three Kingdoms in 1650, Royalist officers occupied the castle after their defeat at the Battle of Carbisdale. Local Covenanters captured and burned the castle. By 1881, it was described as a ruin, and was given into state care by the Balfour family in 1911. it is now maintained by…
Description
The castle is built in the Z-plan form, comprising a rectangular main block with towers at opposite corners. A courtyard was added to the south in the 17th century. The castle is notable for its defensive architecture, unusual for the period, including a large number of shot holes. The large staircase has been compared to the stair at Fyvie Castle in Aberdeenshire.
Sourced from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Coordinates
- 59.3207, -3.0044
- District
- Orkney Islands
- Postcode
- KW17 2DW
- Parliamentary constituency
- Orkney and Shetland
- Official site
- www.historicenvironment.scot
Sources
- wikidata: Q1965066 (CC0)
- wikipedia: Noltland Castle (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- commons: Noltland Castle 20110529.jpg (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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Frequently asked questions
- Where is Noltland Castle?
- Noltland Castle is in the Scottish Islands, United Kingdom (postcode KW17 2DW).
- Who runs Noltland Castle?
- Noltland Castle is operated by Historic Environment Scotland.
- Is Noltland Castle a listed building?
- Noltland Castle is officially recognised as scheduled monument listed.
- Does Noltland Castle charge admission?
- Noltland Castle typically charges admission. Check the official site for current ticket prices and opening hours.
- How do I get to Noltland Castle?
- Drivers can navigate to postcode KW17 2DW. It sits within the Orkney and Shetland parliamentary constituency.