St Peter, Brough of Birsay
St Peter, Brough of Birsay
The ruined church of St Peter stands on the Brough of Birsay, a tidal island off the north-west corner of Mainland Orkney. Historic Environment Scotland cares for Pictish, Norse and medieval remains reached by a causeway only at low tide.
- Location
- Brough of Birsay, Orkney Islands
- Country
- Scotland
- County
- Orkney Islands
- City / town
- Brough of Birsay
- Address
- Island, Brough of Birsay, Orkney Islands, KW17 2LX
- Postcode
- KW17 2LX
- Built
- 12th century (church and monastery remains)
- Denomination
- Historic Scotland
- Dedication
- Peter
- Style
- Romanesque
- Materials
- Stone footings and low walls; evidence of glazed windows
- Grid reference
- HY 239 284
- Opening hours
- Mid June to 30 September: Monday to Sunday 9.30am to 5.30pm (tides permitting).
- Access
- Level access to the main areas. Accessible toilets nearby
Overview
HES describes a twelfth-century Romanesque church of nave, chancel and rounded eastern apse, with a small cloister and domestic ranges to the north and traces of a possible unfinished square tower at the west. Stone benches lined the nave; alcoves flanked the chancel entrance; windows were glazed. Apart from St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall, HES regards this as one of the most sophisticated medieval church plans in the Northern Isles. The monastery was probably short-lived as Birsay’s importance declined after the twelfth century.
Earlier occupation includes a probable Pictish power centre (a replica symbol stone stands on site) and an extensive Norse settlement of houses, barns and a sauna. Access is tide-dependent; a small seasonal museum sits by the landing. The site is a scheduled monument in state care, not a listed parish church.