Noltland Castle in Kirkwall

Can walk around the castle, parking on site

Some amazing views and quite an interesting building if your into that kind of thing but if your on the island you may as well go take a look

Fascinating history and worth 20 mins of your time.

A stunning castle with an interesting history. Amazing views.

Dangerous if no lighting available.

Amazingly preserverd 16th Castle, make sure you have a torch as its dark on the staircases . Carpark, no payment to get in .

Easy parking and well kept grounds

This is a fascinating place to visit. Although impressive from the outside the inside is brilliant and not to be missed. Well worth a visit.

Schöne Ruine

Astounding place, excellent to explore inside and out. Information boards are very useful but familiarising yourself with the history only adds to the experience. Location is beautiful too, and easy walking distance (I thinkfrom Pierowall. Car park is free, if youre driving. Absolute must visit when on Westray.

Well worth a visit

Great to visit this place without scaffolding around it. A great example that has been preserved well.

A wee extra when over their working.Worth a visit

Brilliant, it has a dog ghost as well 👍

If youve made the trip out to Westray then its worth the walk up to the castle. A torch would be handy.

What can I say..... just wow

Informative description

Love this castle, such an adventure for kids and adults, very informative signage

Definitely worth a visit if you have time. Great example of one of Scotland’s many ruined castles

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.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 Master of the Royal Household to Mary, Queen of Scots, and was involved in the plot to kill her husband, Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley. After Marys deposition and exile, he continued to support the queen. Noltland was seized by Robert Stewart, 1st Earl of Orkney, an opponent of Marys supporters, but he was forced to hand it back to Balfour in the early 1570s. Balfour was executed in Sweden in 1576, and, in 1598, the castle was again seized by the Earl of Orkney (now Patrick Stewart, son of Robert). By 1606, the castle had been restored to the Balfours once more, when it was sold to Sir John Arnot, Lord 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 Historic Scotland.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.

Quiet, interesting and well cared for. Interesting info boards.

Beautiful piece of history

It is uniquely spooky castle. Murky, still and sturdy. Thick masonry wall and tiny gunshot -like windows. Expect the movement of birds and cracking sound door to make your visit more dramatic.

Lovely

Castle with history

Good place to explore when on westray free admission 2 or 3 floors of the castle to explore

Great history.

A great little place to visit on Westray that is well kept and Free of charge.. The grounds are well kept. I did miss the light switch at the bottom of the staircase so the spiral steps were fun.. Well worth a visit whilst your in Pierowall

Sehr gute Beschilderung zur Nutzung und historischen Darstellung des Schlosses, gut zu Fuß von Pierowall zu erreichen, interessante Anlage👍

Off the beaten track, open at any reasonable time, with no visitor facilities. However, if you are on Westray it should not be missed, as it is an interesting small castle where children (properly supervisedcan enjoy exploring.

Very interesting and also FOC

Be prepared to encounter birds flying around inside the castle! You wonder around the castle as you please.

Gut erhaltenes Castle (halbe Ruine). Man kann diverse Räumlichkeiten noch begehen...

One of Scotlands most well-preserved and striking fortified towers, noltland is a massive, imposing fortification that seems almost comically out of place in such a small, remote island. The stonework is incredible: thick impenetrable walls peppered with gun loops, beautiful spiral staircases and vaulted interiors. One not to miss if you enjoy history or architecture, and all for free? Awesome. Also decidedly creepy.

As far as old castle ruins go this is small but interesting.

Interesting and nice to include on an Orkney visit

Good condition inside, so great for exploring!