Skaill House
| Skaill House | |
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Skaill House
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 Location within Orkney
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| General information | |
| Type | Manor House |
| Location | Sandwick, Orkney |
| Country | Scotland, UK |
| Coordinates | 59°2′51.5″N 3°20′11.6″W / 59.047639°N 3.336556°W |
| Inaugurated | 1620 |
| Owner | Major Malcolm Macrae, 12th Laird of Breckness |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 2–3 |
| Website | |
| www |
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Skaill House is a historic manor house in Sandwick parish on Mainland, the largest of the Orkney Islands. The house overlooks the neolithic site, Skara Brae, and the Bay of Skaill.
In 1977, the house was included in the List of Scottish Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest.
Skaill House is situated near to the site of Skara Brae, and the lands were in use from neolithic times. Various finds from the Bronze- and Iron Ages show continuing use. The name Skaill derives from the Old Norse word for "hall". The names of all the surrounding farms are also derived from that language, and it is presumed that the lands have been permanently settled for over a thousand years.
After the execution of Patrick Stewart, 2nd Earl of Orkney for treason in 1615, the lands were given to the Bishop of Orkney. In 1620, Bishop George Graham constructed a simple manor house, the first part of what is now Skaill House. His son became the laird of the estate, and the property was from that time passed down to succeeding lairds.
Over the years, the building was expanded. In 1997, after six years of restoration work, Skaill House was opened to the public. It can be rented as a holiday home or for receptions and events.
Skaill House is situated near the west coast of Mainland overlooking the Bay of Skaill and Skara Brae, and close to St Peter's Kirk. It is described by Historic Environment Scotland as the "most complete 17th century country mansion in Orkney".
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Wikipedia