Let’s travel back to the late 1300s-a time when Kirkwall wasn’t just the heart of Orkney, but a true crossroads of kingdoms. Here, Henry Sinclair, the big boss of the islands-granted the Earldom by King Haakon VI of Norway-decided that the best way to mark his new power was with a proper castle. Picture thick stone walls right here at the corner of Broad Street and Castle Street, a fortress so sturdy that even the North Sea wind took a detour around it.
Fast forward a couple centuries, and things get a bit spicy. Picture swords drawn and tempers flaring-Patrick Stewart, the 2nd Earl of Orkney (no, not that Patrick Stewart), landed himself in trouble after more than a few feuds. When he was arrested, his son Robert decided, in true rebellious style, to hole up in Kirkwall Castle, taking over not just this place, but the Bishop’s and Earl’s palaces and even St Magnus Cathedral. Not exactly keeping a low profile!
Unfortunately for Robert, the king’s troops marched in and, after a tense standoff, the castle surrendered. The order came down: tear it down! But like an unwanted Christmas sweater, it stuck around until the 1700s, when the town finally claimed the stones to build a new jail. By the 1860s, the last hulking wall was dragged away to make space for carts and harbor traffic.
But here’s the twist-a true Orkney plot-I bet you didn’t know the castle was hiding beneath Castle Street all along! Roadworks in 2019 uncovered the centuries-old foundations. So, next time someone complains about traffic delays, just tell them the castle wanted one last moment in the spotlight. Or maybe, it’s not quite ready to disappear...
