Rating
4.5/5 (based on Google user reviews)
User Reviews
rick carter (6 months ago)
Getting tickets was easy and the people selling the tickets care about the buildings. They had stories to tell. The restoration is in progress but the ruins that remain are very impressive and caused us to talk about how life might have been.
Getting tickets was easy and the people selling the tickets care about the buildings. They had stories to tell. The restoration is in progress but the ruins that remain are very impressive and caused us to talk about how life might have been.
En Yin Liew (7 months ago)
The Earl’s Palace was built around 1606 by Patrick, Earl of Orkney. Known as ‘Black Patie’, the earl ruled the Northern Isles from 1592 until his execution 23 years later. It was alleged at the trial of the authoritarian ruler that he used slave labour to build his residences. His Kirkwall palace still has the power to impress. It is masterfully planned, spacious and extraordinarily refined. The palace comprises: a first floor hall reached via an elaborate staircase the earl’s inner and outer chambers – at its north end guest chambers accommodation for key staff Outside, the eye is drawn to the frontal façade. Inside, the first floor hall with its two large fireplaces – one of which is 5 metres wide – makes the biggest impact.
The Earl’s Palace was built around 1606 by Patrick, Earl of Orkney. Known as ‘Black Patie’, the earl ruled the Northern Isles from 1592 until his execution 23 years later. It was alleged at the trial of the authoritarian ruler that he used slave labour to build his residences. His Kirkwall palace still has the power to impress. It is masterfully planned, spacious and extraordinarily refined. The palace comprises: a first floor hall reached via an elaborate staircase the earl’s inner and outer chambers – at its north end guest chambers accommodation for key staff Outside, the eye is drawn to the frontal façade. Inside, the first floor hall with its two large fireplaces – one of which is 5 metres wide – makes the biggest impact.
Katie Boudreau (7 months ago)
We had a good time visiting the palaces which span across a street, with the Bishop’s on one side of the road, and the Earl’s on the other. You buy your tickets from the little hut on the Earl’s side, further away from the cathedral. Only a 5 minute walk from the center and town, this is a fun spot to walk around, and you can see a variety of rooms and learn how they were used centuries ago.
We had a good time visiting the palaces which span across a street, with the Bishop’s on one side of the road, and the Earl’s on the other. You buy your tickets from the little hut on the Earl’s side, further away from the cathedral. Only a 5 minute walk from the center and town, this is a fun spot to walk around, and you can see a variety of rooms and learn how they were used centuries ago.
Laura Stirling (7 months ago)
Information viewpoints around the palace and Watergate explaining the people and their history. Good fun playing the games ?
Information viewpoints around the palace and Watergate explaining the people and their history. Good fun playing the games ?
Barb Hauck-Mah (barbhmphilly) (8 months ago)
We visited these palaces on a Kirkwall walking tour with an excellent guide. The Bishop's Palace was built in the 12th century and housed the first bishop, William the Old, of the Norwegian Catholic Church. The Earl's Palace is now roofless and mostly a ruin. You can see remains of a banquet hall, bedroom and kitchen. Earl Patrick Stewart was hated for overtaxing residents to support a lavish lifestyle. He designed his palace with turrets for guards to inhabit and protect him. The Earl was finally arrested for treason and beheaded.
We visited these palaces on a Kirkwall walking tour with an excellent guide. The Bishop's Palace was built in the 12th century and housed the first bishop, William the Old, of the Norwegian Catholic Church. The Earl's Palace is now roofless and mostly a ruin. You can see remains of a banquet hall, bedroom and kitchen. Earl Patrick Stewart was hated for overtaxing residents to support a lavish lifestyle. He designed his palace with turrets for guards to inhabit and protect him. The Earl was finally arrested for treason and beheaded.
