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
- Free entry
- Family-friendly
- Limited wheelchair access
Getting there & planning your visit
Noltland Castle is located in the Orkney Islands, with the postcode KW17 2DW. Entry to the castle is paid, and wheelchair accessibility is limited.
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
- Opening
- Open all year round
- 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)
Other places nearby
Viking cemetery
Archaeological sites · 0.3 km
Links of Noltland
Hill forts · 0.3 km
Baptist Church, Pierowall, Westray
Historic churches · 0.7 km
Grobust beach
Beaches · 0.7 km
Pierowall
Cemeteries · 0.8 km
Westray Heritage Trust Museum
Museums · 0.9 km
Queena Howe Broch
Archaeological sites · 0.9 km
Queena Howe Broch
Archaeological sites · 0.9 km
Lady Kirk
Memorials & monuments · 1.0 km
War Memorial, Pierowall, Westray
Memorials & monuments · 1.0 km
Westray War Memorial
Memorials & monuments · 1.0 km
Hoor Ness Broch
Archaeological sites · 1.1 km
Nearby
📷 3Archaeological sites · Scottish Islands
Viking cemetery
Viking cemetery — a archaeological in scotland-islands, United Kingdom.
📷 5Hill forts · Scottish Islands
Links of Noltland
Links of Noltland — archaeological site near Grobust Bay on the north coast of Westray in Orkney, Scotland.
📷 5Historic churches · Scottish Islands
Baptist Church, Pierowall, Westray
Baptist Church, Pierowall, Westray — category C listed building-listed church in scotland-islands, United Kingdom.
📷 3📷 4Cemeteries · Scottish Islands
Pierowall
Pierowall in Orkney + Shetland, United Kingdom.
📷 3Museums · Scottish Islands
Westray Heritage Trust Museum
Westray Heritage Trust Museum — a museum in scotland-islands, United Kingdom.
Where to eat & stay near Noltland Castle
Places to stay
📷 5Caravan parks · Scottish Islands
Mount Pleasant Caravans
Mount Pleasant Caravans — a caravan park in scotland islands.
📷 5Campsites · Scottish Islands
Chalmersquoy Camping
Chalmersquoy Camping — a campsite in scotland islands.
📷 5Hostels · Scottish Islands
Papa Westray Hostel
Papa Westray Hostel — a hostel in scotland islands.
📷 5Hostels · Scottish Islands
Eday Community Youth Hostel
Eday Community Youth Hostel — a hostel in scotland islands.
📷 5Hostels · Scottish Islands
Trumland Hostel & Campsite
Trumland Hostel & Campsite — a hostel in scotland islands.
📷 5Campsites · Scottish Islands
Trumland Hostel & Campsite
Trumland Hostel & Campsite — a campsite in scotland islands.
More places run by Historic Environment Scotland
📷 5Castles · North West England
Caerlaverock Castle
Caerlaverock Castle — former castle archaeological site in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, UK.
📷 5Castles · North West England
Hermitage Castle
Hermitage Castle — Semi-ruined castle in Scotland.
📷 5Castles · Scottish Highlands
Corgarff Castle
Corgarff Castle — castle and military museum in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, UK.
📷 3Museums · Scottish Highlands
Duff House
Duff House — estate house in Banff, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, UK.
More castles in this region
📷 3
📷 5Castles · Scottish Islands
Borve Castle
Borve Castle — castle ruins in Benbecula, Scotland.
📷 3Castles · Scottish Islands
Cairnburgh Castle
Cairnburgh Castle — ruined castle that is located on the islands of Cairn na Burgh Mòr and Cairn na Burgh Beag, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, UK.
📷 3Frequently asked questions
- Where is Noltland Castle?
- Noltland Castle is in the Scottish Islands, United Kingdom (postcode KW17 2DW).
- What is Noltland Castle?
- Noltland Castle — castle on the island of Westray in the Orkney Islands of Scotland.
- How do I get to Noltland Castle?
- Drivers can use 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.