Bishop's Palace, Kirkwall
Orkney Islands, Scotland
Photo: Worldfootage, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gallery: larsjuh, CC BY 2.0 ยท Marion Timperley, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Key facts
- Operator
- Historic Environment Scotland
- Condition
- Ruin
- Access
- Staffed, ticketed
- Entry pass
- Historic Scotland Explorer Pass
- Nearest station
- Thurso, 33.8 miles (straight-line)
- Note
- Earliest surviving episcopal palace in Norse Scotland, built c.1100s; King Haakon IV of Norway died here in 1263.
Pinpoint
Watergate, Kirkwall KW15 1PD
Telephone 01856 871918
Opening Hours
Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| 1 April - 30 September | Daily 10am to 4.30pm |
Last entry: 30 minutes before closing
- Closed
- 1 October to 31 March
Checked against the official page on 13 August 2026.
The earliest surviving episcopal palace in Norse Scotland, built around the 1100s beside Kirkwall's St Magnus Cathedral - King Haakon IV of Norway died here in 1263. It stands paired with, but architecturally distinct from, Kirkwall's separate Earl's Palace across the road.
At a glance
Who to know
King Haakon IV of Norway · the Norwegian king who died here in 1263
Worth the trip
The Haakon IV connection - a Norwegian king's death here in 1263 ties the ruin directly to the Norse history of Orkney.
Before you go
A single ticket from the small hut on site covers both the Bishop's and Earl's Palace across the road - reviewers recommend doing both together.
What visitors say
Bishop's Palace, Kirkwall reviews · 4.5 / 5 across 384 Google reviews
Reviewers consistently recommend visiting the Bishop's and Earl's Palaces together, since a single ticket bought from the hut on the Earl's Palace side covers both sites across the street from each other.
The audio tour and on-site information boards are praised for making sense of the ruins, and the ongoing restoration work is noted approvingly rather than seen as a downside.
Several visitors recommend a Historic Environment Scotland membership card if visiting multiple sites in Orkney.
“Getting tickets was easy and the people selling the tickets care about the buildings. They had stories to tell. The restoration is in progress but the ruins that remain are very impressive and caused us to talk about…”- rick carter, visitor review
History
12th century
Built in the 12th century as an episcopal palace during Orkney's Norse period, it housed the cathedral's first bishop. King Haakon IV of Norway died here in 1263 after the Battle of Largs, marking the end of Norse rule over the Outer Hebrides. The palace fell into ruins by 1320 but underwent restoration in the 1520s by Bishop Robert Reid.
Adapted from this castle's Wikipedia article, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Practical notes from visitors
Quoted from individual Google reviews, not verified with the operator - treat as a steer, not gospel, and check before you travel.
- Parking
- “Parking is a bit limited on the road.” - Steven Redmond
- Terrain & accessibility
- “You explore most areas of the castle, including climbing the winding steps of the partially standing tower.” - Steven Redmond
Common questions about Bishop's Palace, Kirkwall
Where is Bishop's Palace, Kirkwall?
Bishop's Palace, Kirkwall is in Orkney Islands, Scotland, at Watergate, Kirkwall KW15 1PD.
Do you need a ticket to visit Bishop's Palace, Kirkwall?
Yes - Bishop's Palace, Kirkwall is a staffed, ticketed attraction run by Historic Environment Scotland. Ticket prices and opening hours change through the year, so check the official site before travelling.
What is the highlight of visiting Bishop's Palace, Kirkwall?
The Haakon IV connection - a Norwegian king's death here in 1263 ties the ruin directly to the Norse history of Orkney.
Is Bishop's Palace, Kirkwall a ruin or still intact?
Bishop's Palace, Kirkwall is a ruin - Earliest surviving episcopal palace in Norse Scotland, built c.1100s; King Haakon IV of Norway died here in 1263.
