Noltland Castle
π° Castles of Scotland: The Fortified Refuge
If you’re hopping over to the "Queen of the
Isles" Westray in Orkney, you’ll find one of the most uniquely
defended buildings in Scotland. Noltland Castle doesn't just look like a
noble tower house; it looks like a fortress that expected to be attacked at any
moment. And given its original owner, it’s easy to see why!
π Location
- Where
is it? Situated just outside the village of Pierowall on the
island of Westray, Orkney.
- Setting:
It overlooks the magnificent Pierowall Bay, which was one of the
finest natural harbors in the Northern Isles.
- Coordinates:
59.317N, 2.997W
- ///centrally.incorrect.constrain
- Van
Access: You’ll need to take the inter-island ferry from Kirkwall (or
Eday) to Westray. Westray is a fantastic island to drive around, and the
road to Noltland is straightforward. There is parking nearby, and the
castle is a short walk from the main road.
π A Timeline of History
and Inhabitants
This isn't a story of peaceful lords and ladies; it’s a
story of political assassination and survival.
1. The Builder: Gilbert Balfour (1560–1574)
- The
Man: The castle was built by Gilbert Balfour, a man who served
as Master of Mary, Queen of Scots' household.
- The
"Dangerous" Life: Balfour was no saint. He was famously
implicated in the murder of Cardinal Beaton in 1546 and the
assassination of Lord Darnley (Mary’s second husband) in 1567.
- The
"Blood" Inscription: Over the entrance, he carved a
terrifying passage from Exodus: "When I see the blood, I will pass
over you in the night." It’s a chilling insight into a man who
spent his life looking over his shoulder.
2. A Fortress for a Fugitive
- After
Mary, Queen of Scots was arrested in 1567, Balfour fled to Westray. He
turned Noltland into a defensive powerhouse—it features 71 gun holes
(loop-holes) in its 7-foot thick walls. It was designed so that no matter
where an attacker came from, they would be staring down the barrel of a
cannon or musket.
3. Later Tumult
- The
castle was never truly "finished." It was seized by Lord
Robert Stewart in 1572. Over the following centuries, it was caught in
the crossfire of Scottish history, being set on fire by Covenanters in the
1650s and again by Hanoverian forces in 1745.
π Significance in History
and Politics
Noltland Castle is a direct link to the most chaotic years
of the Scottish Reformation and the fall of the House of Stuart.
- Political
Sanctuary: It represents the desperate measures taken by those loyal
to Mary, Queen of Scots. When the "political ground" in
Edinburgh became too hot, the far-flung islands of Orkney became the final
refuge for the Queen's inner circle.
- The
Evolution of Defense: Noltland is a textbook example of the transition
from a traditional "tower house" to an "artillery
fortress." It shows how 16th-century lords had to adapt their
architecture to account for the new, deadly reality of gunpowder.
- Orkney’s
Strategic Importance: Holding the Pierowall harbour meant controlling
a vital maritime gateway between the Atlantic and the North Sea. Balfour’s
choice of location proves that even in the 1500s, the Northern Isles were
a crucial piece of the British political chessboard.
πΈ Johnny’s
"Creator" Tip:
Get up close to the wall! You can actually walk the perimeter
and count those 71 gun holes. It’s a surreal experience when you realize
they are all angled to cover every square inch of the approach to the castle.
It’s an incredible backdrop for a "history vlog" segment.
Would you have felt safe hiding in a castle built by a
man like Gilbert Balfour, or would you have been looking for the nearest exit?
Let me know in the comments! ππ΄σ §σ ’σ ³σ £σ ΄σ Ώπ
#CastlesOfScotland #NoltlandCastle #Westray #Orkney
#ScottishHistory #MaryQueenOfScots #MotorhomeTouringScotland #JohnnyBurr
#IslandLife
For more of the Castles of Scotland series visit:
https://castlesinscotland.blogspot.com
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noltland_Castle
Linktree https://linktr.ee/johnnyburr
