The Earls Palace, Kirkwall, Orkney Stock Photography

This imposing ruin of the Earls palace, stands over the road from St Magnus cathedral to the south. It was began in 1607 by Patrick Stewart, the second earl of Orkney, who was a tyrant to his subjects, and was constructed mainly by forced labour. It was built in the french renaissance style, but the soft sandstone, used in its construction, has meant considerable erosion over the years. It has been a ruin since the 18th century.