Pierowall
Orkney

A village on the Orkney island of Westray, situated at the head of a bay that forms an inlet at the south end of Papa Sound. It is the largest settlement on the island and has ferry links with Papa Westray and Kirkwall. Westray Heritage Centre occupies a 19th Century school at the centre of the village. A large Viking cemetery was discovered in the sand dunes of the Bay of Pierowall in the 19th century, and it was to this anchorage that Earl Rognald and his men came in 1136 at the beginning of the subjugation of Orkney. The Orkneyinga Saga notes that Earl Rognald attended a service at the church here. The oldest part of the church that survives at Pierowall dates from the 13th century, most of the building representing 17th century alterations. A mile to the west of Pierowall stands Noltland Castle which dates from the 16th century.

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