Pierowall: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 59°19′N 3°00′W / 59.31°N 3.00°W / 59.31; -3.00
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{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2017}}
{{infobox UK place
{{infobox UK place
|country = Scotland
|country = Scotland
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|scots_name=
|scots_name=
|gaelic_name=
|gaelic_name=
|static_image_name= The bay at Pierowall - geograph.org.uk - 405236.jpg
⚫
| population =
|static_image_caption= The bay at Pierowall
⚫
| population = 570
| population_ref =
| population_ref =
|os_grid_reference= HY4348
|os_grid_reference= HY4348
|coordinates = {{coord|59.31|-3.00|display=inline,title}}
|latitude= 59.31
|longitude= -3.00
|civil_parish= [[Westray]]
|unitary_scotland= [[Orkney]]
|unitary_scotland= [[Orkney]]
|lieutenancy_scotland= [[Orkney]]
|lieutenancy_scotland= [[Orkney]]
|constituency_westminster= [[Orkney and Shetland (UK Parliament constituency)|Orkney and Shetland]]
|constituency_westminster= [[Orkney and Shetland (UK Parliament constituency)|Orkney and Shetland]]
|constituency_scottish_parliament= [[Orkney (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Orkney]]
|constituency_scottish_parliament= [[Orkney (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Orkney]]
|historic_county=
|post_town= Kirkwall
|post_town= Orkney
|postcode_district = KW17
|postcode_district = KW17
|postcode_area= KW
|postcode_area= KW
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}}
}}


'''Pierowall''' is a village and [[harbour]] of [[Westray]] in the [[Orkney Islands]], off the coast of northern [[Scotland]]. The island's largest settlement, the village lies near its northern end, on Pierowall Bay.
'''Pierowall''' is a village of [[Westray]] in the [[Orkney Islands]], off the coast of the northern [[Scotland|Scottish mainland]]. The village is the island's largest settlement and lies near its northern end, around Pierowall Bay. It has a variety of historical remains dating from the [[Neolithic]], the [[Iron Age]], the [[Middle Ages]], and later, including a large [[Norse religion|pagan Norse]] cemetery. In 1961 it had a population of 108.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scottish-places.info/towns/towndetails3939.html|title=Pierowall Details|publisher=Gazetteer for Scotland|access-date=20 May 2020}}</ref>

==Facilities==
Although it is only a village on an island which had a total population of 563 at the census of 2001, Pierowall has a post office, a bank, a junior high school, shops, a hotel, and a fire station.<ref name=orkney>{{cite web|title=The Orkney Local Plan 2000 Chapter 12: Villages|url=http://www.orkney.gov.uk/Files/Planning/Development-Planning/Local-Plan/Chapter12Villages.pdf|publisher=orkney.gov.uk|access-date=3 May 2013}}{{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>


==Communications==
==Communications==
Some seven miles to the south of Pierowall is the Rapness [[ferry]] terminal, on the southernmost tip of Westray, linked by ferry with [[Papa Westray]] and [[Kirkwall]].<ref>[http://www.visitscotland.com/info/towns-villages/pierowall-p238411 Pierowall] at visitscotland.com, accessed 30 April 2013</ref>
Supplementing the ferries which come into Pierowall Harbour, some seven miles to the south of the village is the main [[ferry]] terminal at [[Rapness]], on the southernmost tip of Westray, which has better ferry links with [[Papa Westray]] and [[Kirkwall]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.visitscotland.com/info/towns-villages/pierowall-p238411|title=Pierowall|publisher=VisitScotland|access-date=30 April 2013}}</ref>


Pierowall has a [[maritime climate]], with cool summers, mild winters, strong winds, and above average rainfall. Visitors can stay in the centre of the village at the Pierowall Hotel.<ref>Lesley Anne Rose, Michael Macaroon, Vivienne Crow, ''Frommer's Scotland'' (2012), p. 408</ref>
Pierowall has a [[maritime climate]], with cool summers, mild winters, strong winds, and above average rainfall. Visitors can stay in the centre of the village at the Pierowall Hotel.<ref>{{cite book|first1=Lesley Anne|last1=Rose|first2=Michael|last2=Macaroon|first3=Vivienne|last3=Crow|title=Frommer's Scotland|date=2012|page=408}}</ref>


==Heritage==
==Heritage==
In a Neolithic [[chambered cairn]] near the village, complex carving can be seen on a stone which was probably a lintel. This is thought to originate in the same culture which produced similar carvings at [[Newgrange]] in [[County Meath]], [[Ireland]].<ref>{{cite book|first=M.|last=MacDonald|title=Scottish Art|location=London|publisher=Thames and Hudson|year=2000|isbn=0500203334|pages=[https://archive.org/details/scottishartworld00murd/page/10 10–11]|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/scottishartworld00murd/page/10}}</ref> Pierowall also has an important example of the circular [[dry-stone]] [[Atlantic roundhouse]]s which date from the [[Iron Age]].<ref>{{cite book|first=Barry|last=Cunliffe|author-link=Barry Cunliffe|title=Iron Age Communities in Britain|location=New York|publisher=Routledge|year=2004|isbn=0415347793|page=325}}</ref>
⚫
Pierowall has an important example of the circular [[dry-stone]] [[Atlantic roundhouse]]s which date from the [[Iron Age]].<ref>[[Barry Cunliffe]], ''Iron Age Communities in Britain'' (New York: Routledge, 2004), ISBN 0415347793, p. 325</ref> Away to the west are the ruins of [[Noltland Castle]], built by [[Gilbert Balfour]] in the 16th century, notable for its massive spiral staircase "second only to [[Fyvie Castle]], while its triple tiers of [[gunloop]]s are without parallel in Scotland, if not Europe".<ref>J. Keay, ''Collins Encyclopaedia of Scotland'' (London: HarperCollins, 1994)</ref>


⚫
Away to the west are the ruins of [[Noltland Castle]], built by [[Gilbert Balfour]] in the 16th century, notable for its massive spiral staircase "second only to [[Fyvie Castle]], while its triple tiers of [[gunloop]]s are without parallel in Scotland, if not Europe".<ref>{{cite book|first=J.|last=Keay|title=Collins Encyclopaedia of Scotland|url=https://archive.org/details/collinsencyclopa00john|url-access=registration|location=London|publisher=HarperCollins|year=1994}}</ref>
⚫
The [[Category B listed]] [[Lady Kirk]], a ruined church built in 1674 on the foundations of an older 13th-century church, is one of two ruined churches on the island of Westray and is a [[scheduled ancient monument]] in the care of [[Historic Scotland]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hsewsf.sedsh.gov.uk/hslive/hsstart?P_HBNUM=18737|title=Pierowall, Lady Kirk, Including Boundary Wall|publisher=Historic Scotland|accessdate=30 April 2013}}</ref> Other listed structures include Trenabie Bere Mill and the Pierowall Harbour's Gill Pier, which was built in 1870.<ref>Great Britain Hydrographic Department, ''North Sea Pilot - Part 1'' (1907), p. 9</ref>


⚫
[[File:Pierowall Lady Kirk - geograph.org.uk - 953499.jpg|thumb|200px|The [[Lady Kirk]] ]] The [[Lady Kirk]], a ruined church built in 1674 on the foundations of an older 13th-century church, is one of two ruined churches on the island of Westray and is a [[scheduled ancient monument]] in the care of [[Historic Environment Scotland]].<ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=SM13416|desc=Pierowall Church (Lady Kirk), Westray|access-date=14 March 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/pierowall-church/history/|title=Pierowall Church: History|publisher=Historic Environment Scotland|access-date=14 March 2019}}</ref> Other listed structures include Trenabie Bere Mill and Pierowall Harbour's Gill Pier, which was built in 1870.<ref>{{cite book|publisher=Great Britain Hydrographic Department|title=North Sea Pilot - Part 1|year=1907|page=9}}</ref>
⚫
The Westray Heritage Centre stands at the heart of the village, which also has an art gallery.<ref>Matthew Teller, ''The Rough Guide to Britain'' (2004), p. 1275</ref>

⚫
The Westray Heritage Centre stands at the heart of the village, which also has an art gallery.<ref>{{cite book|first=Matthew|last=Teller|title=The Rough Guide to Britain|year=2004|page=1275}}</ref>


==Archaeology==
==Archaeology==
A Viking-age cemetery has been excavated at Pierowall, and finds include a [[Celtic brooch|penannular brooch]] which combines the styles of [[Celtic art|Celtic]] and [[Viking Age art|Viking art]]<ref>James Curie, 'A Find of Viking Relics in the Hebrides', in ''Burlington Magazine'' vol. 29, p. 241</ref> and a gold arm-ring.<ref>James Graham-Campbell, Gareth Williams, ''Silver Economy in the Viking Age'' (Left Coast Press, 2007), p. 76</ref>
Ninth-century Viking graves have been found and excavated among sand dunes near Pierowall, and finds of grave-goods there include weapons,<ref>{{cite book|first=Julian|last=Holland|title=Exploring the Islands of Scotland: the ultimate practical guide|year=2009|page=32}}</ref> a gold arm-ring,<ref>{{cite book|first1=James|last1=Graham-Campbell|author-link1=James Graham-Campbell|first2=Gareth|last2=Williams|title=Silver Economy in the Viking Age|publisher=Left Coast Press|year=2007|page=76}}</ref> keys, combs,<ref>{{cite book|first=Eric|last=Christiansen|title=Norsemen in the Viking Age|year=2008|page=219}}</ref> and a [[Celtic brooch|penannular brooch]] which combines the styles of [[Celtic art|Celtic]] and [[Viking Age art|Viking art]].<ref>{{cite journal|first=James|last=Curie|title=A Find of Viking Relics in the Hebrides|journal=Burlington Magazine|volume=29|page=241}}</ref>


The local [[development plan]] notes that Pierowall is the location of "the largest pagan Norse cemetery to be found in Britain" and comments that "Any developments should take into account the likely presence of archaeology."<ref name=orkney/>
In a [[chambered cairn]] near the village, complex carving can be seen on a stone which was probably a lintel. This is thought to originate in the same culture which produced similar carvings at [[Newgrange]] in [[County Meath]], [[Ireland]].<ref>M. MacDonald, ''Scottish Art'' (London: Thames and Hudson, 2000), ISBN 0500203334, pp. 10-11</ref>


==Notes==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{commons category}}
* [http://www.pierowallhotel.co.uk/ Pierowall Hotel]
* [http://www.pierowallhotel.co.uk/ Pierowall Hotel]


{{Orkney Islands}}
{{Orkney Islands}}

{{authority control}}


[[Category:Fishing communities in Scotland]]
[[Category:Fishing communities in Scotland]]
[[Category:Villages in Orkney]]
[[Category:Villages in Orkney]]
[[Category:Viking Age populated places]]
[[Category:Viking Age populated places]]
[[Category:Westray]]

Latest revision as of 13:53, 16 April 2024

Pierowall
The bay at Pierowall
Pierowall is located in Orkney Islands
Pierowall
Pierowall
Location within Orkney
Population570 
OS grid referenceHY4348
Civil parish
Council area
Lieutenancy area
CountryScotland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townOrkney
Postcode districtKW17
Dialling code01857
PoliceScotland
FireScottish
AmbulanceScottish
UK Parliament
Scottish Parliament
List of places
UK
Scotland
59°19′N 3°00′W / 59.31°N 3.00°W / 59.31; -3.00

Pierowall is a village of Westray in the Orkney Islands, off the coast of the northern Scottish mainland. The village is the island's largest settlement and lies near its northern end, around Pierowall Bay. It has a variety of historical remains dating from the Neolithic, the Iron Age, the Middle Ages, and later, including a large pagan Norse cemetery. In 1961 it had a population of 108.[1]

Facilities[edit]

Although it is only a village on an island which had a total population of 563 at the census of 2001, Pierowall has a post office, a bank, a junior high school, shops, a hotel, and a fire station.[2]

Communications[edit]

Supplementing the ferries which come into Pierowall Harbour, some seven miles to the south of the village is the main ferry terminal at Rapness, on the southernmost tip of Westray, which has better ferry links with Papa Westray and Kirkwall.[3]

Pierowall has a maritime climate, with cool summers, mild winters, strong winds, and above average rainfall. Visitors can stay in the centre of the village at the Pierowall Hotel.[4]

Heritage[edit]

In a Neolithic chambered cairn near the village, complex carving can be seen on a stone which was probably a lintel. This is thought to originate in the same culture which produced similar carvings at Newgrange in County Meath, Ireland.[5] Pierowall also has an important example of the circular dry-stone Atlantic roundhouses which date from the Iron Age.[6]

Away to the west are the ruins of Noltland Castle, built by Gilbert Balfour in the 16th century, notable for its massive spiral staircase "second only to Fyvie Castle, while its triple tiers of gunloops are without parallel in Scotland, if not Europe".[7]

The Lady Kirk

The Lady Kirk, a ruined church built in 1674 on the foundations of an older 13th-century church, is one of two ruined churches on the island of Westray and is a scheduled ancient monument in the care of Historic Environment Scotland.[8][9] Other listed structures include Trenabie Bere Mill and Pierowall Harbour's Gill Pier, which was built in 1870.[10]

The Westray Heritage Centre stands at the heart of the village, which also has an art gallery.[11]

Archaeology[edit]

Ninth-century Viking graves have been found and excavated among sand dunes near Pierowall, and finds of grave-goods there include weapons,[12] a gold arm-ring,[13] keys, combs,[14] and a penannular brooch which combines the styles of Celtic and Viking art.[15]

The local development plan notes that Pierowall is the location of "the largest pagan Norse cemetery to be found in Britain" and comments that "Any developments should take into account the likely presence of archaeology."[2]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Pierowall Details". Gazetteer for Scotland. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  2. ^ a b "The Orkney Local Plan 2000 Chapter 12: Villages" (PDF). orkney.gov.uk. Retrieved 3 May 2013.[permanent dead link]
  3. ^ "Pierowall". VisitScotland. Retrieved 30 April 2013.
  4. ^ Rose, Lesley Anne; Macaroon, Michael; Crow, Vivienne (2012). Frommer's Scotland. p. 408.
  5. ^ MacDonald, M. (2000). Scottish Art. London: Thames and Hudson. pp. 10–11. ISBN 0500203334.
  6. ^ Cunliffe, Barry (2004). Iron Age Communities in Britain. New York: Routledge. p. 325. ISBN 0415347793.
  7. ^ Keay, J. (1994). Collins Encyclopaedia of Scotland. London: HarperCollins.
  8. ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "Pierowall Church (Lady Kirk), Westray (SM13416)". Retrieved 14 March 2019.
  9. ^ "Pierowall Church: History". Historic Environment Scotland. Retrieved 14 March 2019.
  10. ^ North Sea Pilot - Part 1. Great Britain Hydrographic Department. 1907. p. 9.
  11. ^ Teller, Matthew (2004). The Rough Guide to Britain. p. 1275.
  12. ^ Holland, Julian (2009). Exploring the Islands of Scotland: the ultimate practical guide. p. 32.
  13. ^ Graham-Campbell, James; Williams, Gareth (2007). Silver Economy in the Viking Age. Left Coast Press. p. 76.
  14. ^ Christiansen, Eric (2008). Norsemen in the Viking Age. p. 219.
  15. ^ Curie, James. "A Find of Viking Relics in the Hebrides". Burlington Magazine. 29: 241.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pierowall.
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