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Birsay Earl’s Palace

Castle

Terrain:

Activities

Best Time To Visit

Coastal

Walking, Photography

Spring to Autumn

Ymblanter / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

The Earl's Palace at Birsay is a ruined sixteenth-century palace standing in the village of Birsay, at the north-western corner of Orkney's Mainland. Built around a rectangular courtyard, its roofless stone ranges still rise high, with rows of empty windows and gun-holes set low in the walls to cove...

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Parking nearby

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Food Spots nearby

0

Staycations nearby

Parking:

Food:

Staycations:

1 overnight parking

Nearest Hidden Gem 1

Nearest Hidden Gem 2

Nearest Hidden Gem 3

FAQ's/Things to Know

Where is Birsay Earl’s Palace?
Orkney's wild north-western edge holds these coastal ruins right near the shoreline. Walking along the grassy plains brings you face to face with the crumbling walls.

What type of place is Birsay Earl’s Palace?
Birsay Earl's Palace is a castle on the coast of the Orkney Mainland in Scotland.

When is the best time to visit Birsay Earl’s Palace?
Spring through to autumn offers the most pleasant weather for exploring these roofless structures. Clear days during these warmer months provide excellent light for photography.

What can you do at Birsay Earl’s Palace?
Stepping inside the stone courtyard allows you to view empty window frames looking over the sea. People also enjoy checking the tide tables to cross the nearby causeway.

How long should I spend at Birsay Earl’s Palace?
An hour usually provides ample time to walk through the ruins and read about the history. Combining the trip with a trek to the tidal island warrants a half-day stay.

Where do I park at Birsay Earl’s Palace?
A singular space offering overnight parking accommodates vehicles near the site. Full details are available on the UK Hidden Gems app.

Where can I eat near Birsay Earl’s Palace?
There are no food spots recorded immediately near Birsay Earl’s Palace, check the UK Hidden Gems app for the nearest options.

Where can I stay near Birsay Earl’s Palace?
There are no staycation spots recorded immediately near Birsay Earl’s Palace, check the UK Hidden Gems app for the nearest options.

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Last Updated:

02 July 2026

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