General view of tower
O 648
Description General view of tower
Date c. 1960
Collection Records of the Scottish National Buildings Record, Edinburgh, Scotland
Catalogue Number O 648
Category Photographs and Off-line Digital Images
Copies SC 793802
Scope and Content Bishop's Palace, Kirkwall, Orkney Islands This is a view of the tower of the Bishop's Palace from within the graveyard of St Magnus Cathedral. The tower, known as the 'Moosie Tooer', was built in 1550 by Bishop Robert Reid who carried out a lot of reconstruction. On the wall of the tower to the right is a panel which once bore the arms of Bishop Reid. There is a niche to the left of the panel, within which there is a sculpture of a man which probably dates to the 13th century. There is a bishop's mitre lying on the desk beside him. It is thought it might be a representation of Earl Rognvald Kolson, founder of St Magnus Cathedral. The Bishop's Palace is the oldest surviving example of domestic architecture in Kirkwall. It was begun in the 12th century, but was in ruins by 1320. It was reconstructed between 1541 and 1558. Alterations were made in 1600, but after 1614 it is likely the building was left to become a ruin. Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.
External Reference Box 59/1
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/collection/793796
Attribution: © RCAHMS
You may: copy, display, store and make derivative works [eg documents] solely for licensed personal use at home or solely for licensed educational institution use by staff and students on a secure intranet.
Under these conditions: Display Attribution, No Commercial Use or Sale, No Public Distribution [eg by hand, email, web]
