Venue Description

Please note that the upper level of Earl's Palace housing Guest floor and Guest bedchamber below are currently closed. Step inside the spectacular ruins of a remarkable residence at the heart of Kirkwall. The medieval Bishop's Palace was built in the 1100s at about the same time as St Magnus Cathedral. In the early 1600s, the Bishop's Palace was incorporated into a refined Renaissance palace commissioned by Earl Patrick Stewart, one of Orkney's most notorious rulers. The Earl's Palace was reputedly built using slave labour. 29 Mar to 30 Sept: Daily, 10am to 4.30pm Last entry 4pm Closed for lunch 12 noon to 1pm 1 Oct to 28 Mar: Closed Booking in advance is recommended to guarantee entry.

Accessibility

Approach to site Access to Bishop’s Palace is straight off the street through an iron gate and down some wooden steps. There are two routes to the Earl’s Palace, both of which involve steps. From Palace Road there is a path with two steps up and one step down followed by one into the monument. From Watergate there are three steps up, a short path then two steps down and one into the monument. Visitor Centre Once inside the Earl’s Palace grounds, the visitor centre has step free access. Monument The ground floor of the Bishop’s Palace is mainly on the level and surfaced with gravel. Access to the first floor of the tower is up wooden steps followed by narrow stone steps with a rope handrail. The ground floor of the Earl’s Palace includes the kitchen and an interpretive display. These are reached by two wide stone steps. The first floor includes the Great Hall and bedchambers and is reached by a wide historic stone staircase without a handrail. The second floor is reached by a narrow historic stone spiral stair.

Access Statement

Access Statement Link: http://www.historicenvironment.scot/access

Toilets

Toilets The nearest adapted toilet is at Kirkwall & St Ola Community Centre, Broad Street; about 120m away.

Staff

Information about the staff has not been added for this venue.