Eynhallow Church is a ruined medieval church located on the uninhabited island of Eynhallow in Orkney, Scotland. The church dates back to the 12th-century and is thought to have originally been a monastery. Near the church are the building remains from a post-medieval village. Historic Environment Scotland first listed the site as a scheduled monument in 1921.
The ruins of Eynhallow church are situated on a slope in southwestern Eynhallow, in Orkney, Scotland. The island lies between Rousay and Mainland, Orkney. The site consists of a roofless 12th-century church, measuring 21 m (69 ft) by 7 m (23 ft) across. The church was later modified and was used as a residential dwelling, beginning in the 16th century. [1]
Much of the church's original fabric is still visible. The best surviving features of the church are the walls of the porch, the gables in the nave, and the foundation of the chancel walls. The interior contains a rectangular sized nave with a porch at its west end and a square-ended chancel at the east end. A tower may have later been added on top of the west porch. Several pieces of carved, red sandstone were later found in an outbuilding. [2] To the southwest of the church is the site of a 16th-century settlement. The settlement contains the remains of at least four adjoining houses. These houses may have built upon earlier structures, possibly buildings connected with the church. The settlement is approximately 30 m (98 ft) by 30 m (98 ft) in size. [3]
Eynhallow is normally accessible by private boat from Rousay or Mainland, Orkney. Currently (January, 2022), the site is listed as "not open to visitors due to high level masonry inspections". [4]
Little is known about the history of Eynhallow Church. It may have been part of a monastery, possibly of the Benedictine order. [1] It has been determined that the church was built in the 12th century. [1] Because of the name of the island, it is likely that Eynhallow was an important religious centre. [5] Eyin-Helha is Old Norse for Holy Isle. [5]
Eynhallow as island church or monastery, was abandoned by the 16th century. The church was later modified and used as a residential dwelling. [1] [5] In 1851 there were 4 cottages remaining on the island. When the residents became ill, possibly due to a contaminated water supply, they were evacuated off the island. [2] When the cottages were torn down, and the roof was pulled off one of the cottages, the foundation of the medieval church was discovered. The remains were later studied by antiquarians, T.S. Muir and Sir Henry Dryden. In 1897, the ruins were examined further by Professor T. Lethaby. In 1911 the site was placed in the guardianship of the Office of Works. [1] Eynhallow church was first scheduled as a monument by Historic Environment Scotland in 1921. [3]
Eynhallow is considered to be an important site in Norse folklore. It is said to be the home of the Finfolk, a mysterious tribe of mythical shapeshifters. [4] The island was described in the Orkneyinga Saga, an anonymous narrative of the history of the Orkney and Shetland islands. The story is told of Olaf, the foster son of Svein Asleifarson and ward of Kolbein Hruga, who was kidnapped from Eynhallow in 1155. Olaf was most likely a student at the monastery at the time. [5] [6]
Rousay is a small, hilly island about 3 km (1.9 mi) north of Mainland, the largest island in the Orkney Islands of Scotland. It has been nicknamed "Egypt of the north", due to its archaeological diversity and importance.
The Brough of Birsay is an uninhabited tidal island off the north-west coast of The Mainland of Orkney, Scotland, in the parish of Birsay. It is located around 13 miles north of Stromness and features the remains of Pictish and Norse settlements as well as a modern light house.
Westray is one of the Orkney Islands in Scotland, with a usual resident population of just under 600 people. Its main village is Pierowall, with a heritage centre, the 15th-century Lady Kirk church and pedestrian ferry service to nearby Papa Westray island. Westray has a number of archeological sites dating from 3500 BC, and remains of several Norse-Viking settlements. The spectacular sea cliffs around Noup Head are home to thousands of seabirds.
Wyre is one of the Orkney Islands, lying south-east of Rousay. It is 311 hectares (1.20 sq mi) and 32 metres (105 ft) at its highest point. It is one of the smallest inhabited islands in the archipelago.
Eynhallow is a small, presently uninhabited island, part of Orkney, off the north coast of mainland Scotland.
Birsay is a parish in the north west corner of The Mainland of Orkney, Scotland. Almost all the land in the parish is devoted to agriculture: chiefly grassland used to rear beef cattle. There are various ancient monuments in the parish.
Rendall is a parish on Mainland, Orkney, Scotland. It is in the north west of the island and lies east of the parishes of Birsay and Evie and north east of Harray. The island of Gairsay is also in the parish.
Prehistoric Orkney refers only to the prehistory of the Orkney archipelago of Scotland that begins with human occupation. Although some records referring to Orkney survive that were written during the Roman invasions of Scotland, “prehistory” in northern Scotland is defined as lasting until the start of Scotland's Early Historic Period.
St Magnus's Church is a ruined medieval church located on the island of Egilsay, in Orkney, Scotland. The site is recognized as the place of execution of Saint Magnus Erlendsson, Earl of Orkney, in the 12th century. The roofless structure dates back to the 12th century, and has been described by Historic Environment Scotland (HES) as second only to St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall, as a surviving Norse church in Scotland.
Blackhammer Chambered Cairn is a Neolithic chambered cairn located on the island of Rousay, in Orkney, Scotland. The tomb, constructed around 3000 BC, is a Orkney–Cromarty chambered cairn, characterized by stalled burial compartments. Historic Environment Scotland established the site as a scheduled monument in 1994.
Midhowe Broch is an Iron Age broch located on the west coast of the island of Rousay in the Orkney Islands, in Scotland.
The Lady Kirk at Pierowall is a ruined 17th-century church on the island of Westray, in Orkney, Scotland. The church was built in 1674, on the foundations of the 13th-century church. Two 17th-century grave-slabs, in excellent condition, are set into the interior wall of the chancel and are now protected by glass screens. The graves display fine lettering and 17th-century images of mortality, engraved in high relief. Historic Environment Scotland established the site as a scheduled monument in 2014.
Westside Church,, is a ruined 12th century church located on the island of Westray in Orkney, Scotland. Archaeological excavations at the site suggest that the church is related to a nearby late Norse settlement. Historic Environment Scotland established the site, which includes the church and surrounding cemetery, as a scheduled monument in 1921.
The remains of the Orphir Round Church, also St Nicholas's Church, are located in Orphir Parish on the Mainland, Orkney, Scotland. It has been part of a scheduled monument since 2014.
Helga Moddansdóttir was the mistress of Haakon Paulsson who was Earl of Orkney from 1105 to 1123.
St Boniface's Church, Papa Westray is a historic church and graveyard located on the island of Papa Westray in Orkney, Scotland. The site of the church dates back to the Iron Age and was possibly used later as a Christian monastery. The present church was built in the 12th century and was remodeled in 1710. A 12th-century Norse hogback gravestone lies to the east of the church. Two Pictish cross-slabs were uncovered in the graveyard in the 20th century, and were later moved to museums. Historic Environment Scotland established the site as a scheduled monument in 1959.
St. Mary's Chapel is a ruined 12th century chapel found on the island of Wyre, in Orkney, Scotland. It is thought to have been built by a Norse chieftain, Kolbeinn hrúga or his son, Bjarni Kolbeinsson, Bishop of Orkney. The now roofless Romanesque style building was originally constructed of local rubble and lime mortar. During the late 19th century, the building was restored. Historic Environment Scotland established the site, which includes the church and walled burial ground, as a scheduled monument in 1929.
Cobbie Row'sCastle is the oldest medieval castle known to exist in Scotland. The castle ruins are located on the island of Wyre in Orkney. Built in the mid-12 century by Norse landowner, Kolbeinn hrúga, the stone fortification originally consisted of a small, central tower set in an oval enclosure, surrounded by two ditches, a stone wall and an earthen rampart. Historic Environment Scotland established the site as a scheduled monument in 1929.
Quoygrew, Westray is the site of a medieval Norse settlement on the island of Westray in Orkney, Scotland. Established as a small farmstead most likely between 900 and 1000 AD, and later expanded in 1200, Quoygrew includes the remains of medieval and post-medieval buildings that range in date from the 10th to the 16th centuries. The 1 hectare farmstead was continuously occupied until the early 20th century. Historic Environment Scotland established the site as a scheduled monument in 2014.
Knowe of Yarso chambered cairn is a Neolithic burial monument located on the island of Rousay in Orkney, Scotland. The site was excavated in the 1930s, and uncovered human and animal bones as well as pottery sherds, flint and bone tools, and arrowheads. The tomb, dating to the period between 3500 and 2500 BC, is a stalled chambered cairn, similar to Midhowe and Blackhammer. Historic Environment Scotland established the site as a scheduled monument in 1994.
