HISTORY The name ‘Skaill’ is the Old Norse for hall and most of the farmsteads north and south of the Bay of Skaill have Norse names, suggesting that the area has been continuously farmed for at least one thousand years. The southern wing of the house stands on an early Norse burial ground. The remains of a broch and another Iron Age building can still be seen on the shoreline of the Bay, and several Bronze Age burial mounds have been found closer to Skaill House. A simple mansion house was built for Bishop George Graham in the 1620’s. This has been added to by successive Laird’s over the centuries culminating in the addition of the north tower and wing which gives the house its characteristic profile which you see today. After 3 years of careful restoration work the house was open to the public in 1997. The house is a family home presented as it was in the 1950’s, see Bishop Graham’s bedroom, Captain Cook’s dinner service, paintings by the acclaimed artist Stanley Cursiter and many other items collected during the lives of the 12 Laird’s of Skaill. Visit Skaill House and you might get more than you bargained for as the house also abounds with ghost stories. The current Laird, members of staff and a few members of the public have all had spooky experiences! Even though there are many stories they all agree that the ghost or ghosts of Skaill are friendly. If you would like to discover more, the house is open from late March – September, you can also order a copy of our guidebook from our Gift Shop section.

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© 2005 Skaill House