Historic churches · Scottish Islands
Westside Church
Westside Church — 12th-century church building, now ruinous, on Westray, Orkney Islands, Scotland, UK.
Wikimedia Commons contributors — see linked file page for photographer and licence licence
Plan your visit
- Typical visit
- 30 min–1 h
- Free entry
- Family-friendly
- Limited wheelchair access
About
Westside Church is a historic church in the United Kingdom. Heritage designation: scheduled monument. Managed by Historic Environment Scotland. Wikidata describes it as: "12th-century church building, now ruinous, on Westray, Orkney Islands, Scotland, UK". Coordinates: 59.2714°, -2.9575°.
Photo gallery
Heritage listing
Westside Church, (also known as Cross Kirk), is a ruined 12th century church located on the island of Westray in Orkney, Scotland. Archaeological excavations at the site suggest that the church is related to a nearby late Norse settlement. Historic Environment Scotland established the site, which includes the church and surrounding cemetery, as a scheduled monument in 1921.
From Historic Environment Scotland under OGL v3.
Summary from the official site
Westside Church is a historic Norse church ruin located in Tuquoy, Orkney, believed to have been built in the 1100s. Visitors can explore the remains of this roofless structure, which is set within a graveyard maintained by the local community, and appreciate its simple yet elegant design.
Read more on the official property page.
From the Wikipedia article
Westside Church, (also known as Cross Kirk), is a ruined 12th century church located on the island of Westray in Orkney, Scotland. Archaeological excavations at the site suggest that the church is related to a nearby late Norse settlement. Historic Environment Scotland established the site, which includes the church and surrounding cemetery, as a scheduled monument in 1921.
Excerpt from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0. See the source article linked in Sources below.
Background
Description
The stone remains of Westside church are located on the south shore of the Ness of Tuquoy on the island of Westray in Orkney, Scotland. The original church dates to the 12th century. The building initially consisted of a chancel and a short, rectangular nave, measuring 5.65 m by 4.15 m. The vaulted chancel is entered from the nave through a rounded doorway. The nave was lengthened westward during the 17th century when the parish church needed to accommodate the growing population on the island and a larger congregation. On the east side of the church are the original walls, which reach a height of around 2.5 m. The walls that were built in the 17th century, at the west end of the church,…
Sourced from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Coordinates
- 59.2714, -2.9575
- District
- Orkney Islands
- Postcode
- KW17 2DR
- Parliamentary constituency
- Orkney and Shetland
- Opening
- Open all year round
- Official site
- www.historicenvironment.scot
Sources
- wikidata: Q1703856 (CC0)
- wikipedia: Westside Church (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- commons: Westside Church - Tuquoy 20110529 view from northwest.jpg (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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Frequently asked questions
- Where is Westside Church?
- Westside Church is in the Scottish Islands, United Kingdom (postcode KW17 2DR).
- What is Westside Church?
- Westside Church — 12th-century church building, now ruinous, on Westray, Orkney Islands, Scotland, UK.
- How do I get to Westside Church?
- Drivers can use postcode KW17 2DR.
- Who runs Westside Church?
- Westside Church is operated by Historic Environment Scotland.
- Is Westside Church a listed building?
- Westside Church is officially recognised as scheduled monument listed.
- Is Westside Church free to visit?
- Yes, Westside Church is free to enter.
- How do I get to Westside Church?
- Drivers can navigate to postcode KW17 2DR. It sits within the Orkney and Shetland parliamentary constituency.