Orkney Image Library

Reading "Kirkwall in the Orkneys", by Hossack, this doorway must have been somewhere around the old Gardens buildings in Bridge Street. It is described as having been, in early times, "a stately dwelling", and was a square enclosing a court overlooked by a balcony. In 1677 it was owned by John Kennedy of Stroma. The Gallery passed through a number of owners over the years until it was bought by James Traill in 1718. He had married Margaret, daughter of John Traill of Elsness, and on retiring in 1730 rebuilt the gallery as his home. Hossack describes the garden at the back of the house as being "for about a century the finest in our islands". It was he who brought the ballast of Pirate Gow's ship from Eday to build the Groatie Hoose in his garden. James Traill died in 1733 and the Gallery passed to his nephew John. Hossack states that it was John Traill who put up the lintel over the front door, 1763 being the date of alterations that he made to the house. Later the Gallery was converted to a hotel before being bought by Robert Garden in 1890 when it became the centre of his business.