the HALL of EINAR » Noltland Castle

Vegetables at Noltland

the HALL of EINAR — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 04:54:13 +0000

The kitchen garden at Noltland is green and fertile as dawn breaks over the ruin.

Masons’ Marks

the HALL of EINAR — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 15:35:04 +0000

Masons’ marks adorn the steps at Noltland Castle.

Noltland Castle

the HALL of EINAR — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 15:11:54 +0000

Noltland Castle is a monument to political intrigue, plotting and rebellion. It now stands ruined and alone, its gun-loop eyes empty. Ravens nest on its man-made crags.

Wall

the HALL of EINAR — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 11:13:38 +0000

The walls surrounding Noltland Castle are so beautifully made and such a natural part of the landscape with their lichen covered stones.

The Key

the HALL of EINAR — Fri, 25 May 2007 09:34:40 +0000

Westray. An island both friendly and wild. I’m here to see a house I’d like to buy. Based upon a few small photographs and a description I’ve travelled the length of the UK to see it and am cosy and warm in a small B&B, with Jerry and Sheila at No.1 Broughton. With a duck egg for breakfast, a packed lunch with home-made cake for lunch and the prospect of a wonderful evening meal I set off to walk from Pierowall to Noup Head, an RSPB reserve with over 100,000 birds. Along the way I visit Noltland Castle, a 16th Century building in part ruin. There’s a note to say that the key may be had at the farm. I walk around the neighbouring farm building and knock on the main door. No-one answers. I walk back to the castle regretting that I’m not going to be able to look around inside and see the main door to the castle. The door is open and the key is in the lock.

As well as the house I’ve come to see there’s another property for sale on the island. I ring the solicitors to say I’d like to view it and they tell me the owner is away and give me his mobile number, which seems strange. I ring him, a complete stranger, and he explains he’s away in Aberdeen and will be back Sunday. I say how sorry I am that I’ve got to leave before he’s back. His response is, “Well why don’t you just go and have a look at it then? It’s not locked.”

I feel as if I’ve opened a new door in my life.

The door was open and the key was in the lock the whole time.

Whether the Weather

the HALL of EINAR — Fri, 25 May 2007 09:02:49 +0000

I’m looking at Noltland Castle, with a stunning backdrop of fluffy white clouds on a jaw-droppingly beautiful day. As I walk towards Noup Head lighthouse I make my way up a steep hill with my backpack. Before I reach the top, a black cloud suddenly appears from behind the hill and I’m caught in a [...]