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St Magnus Church, Egilsay

  • Egilsay, Orkney

 

Overview

Follow the path of pilgrims to a fine Norse church marking the site of a saint’s martyrdom.

Earl Magnus was murdered in a confrontation with Earl Hakon about who should rule Orkney in 1116. The church dates to around 1136, when the Bishop William of Orkney and the future earl Rognvald recognised Earl Magnus as a saint.

Its tall, round bell-tower originally stood nearly 20m high and could be seen for miles around. It served as a beacon for pilgrims. Today the roofless church is still a remarkable building in a stunning location.

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Opening times

The interior of the tower is not currently accessible.

Find out more about our conservation work
Historic Scotland

Facilities

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A grass-covered burial cairn on a field close to the sea

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Taversöe Tuick Chambered Cairn
Several slabs of stone being stored in a concrete room

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Blackhammer Chambered Cairn
The underground remains of a stone cairn covered by a modern ceiling

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Knowe of Yarso Chambered Cairn
The ruined remains of Westside Church, surrounded by gravestones put up in straight lines

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Westside Church, Tuquoy
A general view of the Broch of Gurness and Eynhallow Sound.

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Broch of Gurness
Two thick stone walls with smaller stone slabs standing in between them

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Midhowe Chambered Cairn
The well preserved Midhowe Broch next to a beach and the sea

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Midhowe Broch
A small roofless chapel with a bell tower surrounded by a graveyard.

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Pierowall Church
The grass covered foundations of a medieval church

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Eynhallow Church
A small grass-covered house built over a small stream

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Click Mill
Remains of a Norse building at the Brough of Birsay.

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Brough of Birsay
The roofless remains of a chapel by the sea, surrounded by a small graveyard

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St Mary's Chapel, Crosskirk
A few gravestones stand in front of a roofless church with a bell tower.

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Deskford Church
A small roofless church surrounded by trees and gravestones

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St Peter's Kirk and Parish Cross, Duffus
View of the remains of Elgin Cathedral

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Elgin Cathedral

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