An impressive, round tower stands in the center of Kirkwall on Orkney. It is the Moosie Toor, a part of the old Bishop Palace. The history of the palace itself goes back to the time when the Norwegians still ruled over the western islands of Scotland.
The Bishop's Palace is at first glance less impressive than the Earl's Palace next door. Only the tower, the "Moosie Toor", inspires awe. Otherwise one sees only a rectangular building.
Bishop's Palace was built in Kirkwall in the middle of the twelfth century by Bishop William the Old. However, it was only there that the rectangular hall was built. The most exciting thing that happened to the palace in the next few years was that the Norwegian King Haakon the Fourth died here in 1263. He had withdrawn here after being seized of control of the Scottish Hebrides in a battle.
After that, you do not know much about the Bishop's Palace, except that it slowly decayed.
It was not until around 1540 that Bishop Robert Reid again took care of the building, renovated it and added the large round tower, the Moosie Toor. The palace later came into the possession of the greedy Patrick Stewart. When the rule of Stewarts was broken, the building fell again.