EARL S BU, ORPHIR HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT SCOTLAND STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE. Property in Care (PIC) ID: PIC291 Designations:

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1 Property in Care (PIC) ID: PIC291 Designations: Scheduled Monument (SM13379) Taken into State care: 1947 (Ownership) Last reviewed: 2004 HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT SCOTLAND STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE EARL S BU, ORPHIR We continually revise our Statements of Significance, so they may vary in length, format and level of detail. While every effort is made to keep them up to date, they should not be considered a definitive or final assessment of our properties. Historic Environment Scotland Scottish Charity No. SC Principal Office: Longmore House, Salisbury Place, Edinburgh EH9 1SH

2 Historic Environment Scotland Scottish Charity No. SC Principal Office: Longmore House, Salisbury Place, Edinburgh EH9 1SH

3 EARL S BU, ORPHIR BRIEF DESCRIPTION Earl s Bu, Orphir comprises a small part of the large settlement at the centre of a high status Norse estate. The visible remains are the low, turf-covered stone remains of a complex of excavated, but poorly understood, buildings. Adjacent to it, forming a separate Property in Care, is the associated church of St Nicholas, Orphir. Orphir is sited on the south coast of Mainland Orkney, close to the sea and overlooking the sheltered waters of Scapa Flow. Visitors park in a small car park adjacent to the Orkney Islands Council Saga Centre. They walk towards the Bu, past the excavated remains of the earliest recognised Norse mill in Scotland (outwith the guardianship area), and through the Bu to the modern graveyard where the historic church is sited. A formal circular walk taking in part of the coast can be joined here. CHARACTER OF THE MONUMENT Historical Overview The Orkneyinga saga refers to a fine church standing in front of the door of the earl s great drinking hall, just a few paces down from it. The hall is described in some detail; here Earls Paul and Harald held their Christmas feasts. There is thus a strong probability that the remains in guardianship are part of the lordly farm complex that included this hall (it cannot be determined on the basis of present evidence whether any of the visible remains are the hall referred to, however), a site that has earlier Norse origins. The Bu place-name certainly supports the saga evidence for there having been a principal farm in this immediate vicinity First recorded excavation at the site; a very early example of antiquarian exploration in Scotland Explorations by renowned local antiquarian, George Petrie Further antiquarian exploration, by Johnston Further exploration, back-filled by The walls visible on the guardianship site largely date from this time Guardianship Archaeological Overview The upstanding remains of the guardianship area are poorly understood since they were not excavated to modern archaeological standards. The guardianship area is a small part of a far larger lordly estate centre, the surviving archaeological potential of which is known to be high (from excavations undertaken by Durham University at the end of the 20 th century). Parallels might be drawn between the centres at Wyre (Cobbie Row s castle 1/4

4 and St Mary s church), Birsay (including Brough of Birsay) and Cross-kirk (Westside)/Tuquoy settlement, for example. Two Pictish symbol-bearing stones were discovered on the site in 1939; both are now lost, perhaps built into the consolidated ruins. This, and other evidence from the area, suggest there was a Pictish settlement in this area; the Norse may have taken over a high-status Pictish estate centre. An imminent report by Colleen Batey summarises what little is known about the excavations that took place between 1859 and A 2003 SAIR report describes geophysical survey in and around the guardianship site between 1989 and Artistic/Architectural Overview This is a multi-period site and the surviving visible walls represent several periods; as a result the site is not easy for the visitor to understand and fully appreciate. An 11 th -century Norse horizontal mill, excavated to the immediate north of the site in the late 1980s/early 1990s, represents the earliest horizontal mill in Scotland of Norse date to be recognised on the ground. The main identified feature was the stone-lined tail-race carrying water away from the mill structure; a field to the north contains a mill pond that is likely to be related to this. Social Overview No formal assessment of social significance exists. Modern Orcadian society attaches a high significance to the fact that it was part of Norway for around 600 years, and this site is one of the tangible reminders of this. This value is reflected in the fact that Orkney Islands Council has placed its Saga Centre adjacent to this site. Spiritual Overview Not assessed, but note proximity to modern graveyard and historic church. Aesthetic Overview The guardianship monument comprises a series of low, grass-covered footings. The near coastal location of this important settlement can be appreciated, particularly if the visitor walks to the church/takes the Council s footpath to the shore. What are the major gaps in understanding of the property? Further archaeological work is required if the guardianship site, and its relationship to the archaeological discoveries in the near vicinity, is to be properly understood, as well as its place in the Orkney Golden Age of the 12 th century. 2/4

5 ASSESSMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE Key points The guardianship monument comprises a part of a far larger settlement complex, a principal farm of the Earls of Orkney. The archaeology of this site, and the remains that are presented to the public, are not well understood. More archaeological work would be required to remedy this. The value of this site is enhanced by its direct association with places, events and individuals described in Orkneyinga saga. The historical significance of this site, and the value of Norse heritage for modern Orcadian society, is reflected in the fact that the Council s Saga Centre has been constructed adjacent to it. The historical, archaeological, architectural and social significance of this site is enhanced by the potential to link its future understanding, interpretation and presentation to other sites mentioned in the sagas. One of several internationally important Norse sites in northern Scotland, a significant proportion of which are in HES care in Orkney, Caithness and Shetland. An important component of the surviving evidence for the Norse character of northern Scotland which was part of the Orkney earldom from the late 9 th century to The Norse heritage is particularly valued by present-day Orcadians and, indeed, Norwegians. Associated Properties St Nicholas, Orphir. Elsewhere PIC in Orkney: St Magnus, Egilsay; Eynhallow, St Mary s, Wyre, and Brough of Birsay, mainland Orkney; Westside, Tuquoy, Westray; The Wirk, Rousay. Caithness: Castle of Old Wick; St Mary's Crosskirk. Orkney Islands Council has a network of so-called Saga Sites, including a Visitor Centre by Orphir. Old scheme includes OIC having panels at or near some of our sites. They have plans to better develop and promote this network and are involved in a European-funded project, Destination Viking Sagalands. This is led by a government agency in Iceland and focuses on how sagas (and storytelling) can contribute to rural regeneration in the participating areas (South Greenland, various parts of Iceland, Faroes, Orkneys and the Lofoten and Troms areas of Northern Norway, in addition to a project in Northern Sweden). Relationship to HES sites yet to be discussed. In broad terms, links to other HES Norse sites, e.g. Jarlshof, Mousa (later reuse). Surviving finds are in the National Museums of Scotland, in Edinburgh. 3/4

6 Keywords Norse, medieval, farm, hall, lordly estate, mill, Orkneyinga saga, Orkney Earldom, Orkney, Norway. 4/4