Come and follow in the footsteps of infamous Orkney pirate John Gow during your visit to the islands with a brand-new trail tracing the story of his life.
You can take in places including Stromness, the Standing Stones of Stenness, and the sites of raids carried out by Gow and his crew. And at the end of it all you can enjoy a tot or two of rum, just like the mariners of yesteryear.
The John Gow Heritage Trail is a collaboration between the UHI Institute for Northern Studies and J. Gow Rum, Orkney’s award-winning rum distillery, named after the pirate himself. Featuring a map and information leaflet, the trail is the result of a year’s worth of research into Gow and his exploits.
He was brought up in Stromness in the early 1700s, eventually embarking on a life at sea. His short and colourful career as a pirate began by leading a mutiny in 1724 and attacking Spanish, American, and French merchant vessels. He was eventually captured back home in Orkney the following year before being executed in London.
The story of John Gow has endured through generations though, thanks in part to fabled authors Daniel Defoe and Sir Walter Scott, who based the character of Captain Cleveland in his 1821 work ‘The Pirate’ on Gow after a visit to Orkney.
The trail leaflet, which is available in print as well as digitally, features several fascinating stops where you can learn more about John Gow, including:
- Stromness
John Gow spent his formative years in Stromness before returning prior to his capture in 1725. You can visit the Copland’s Dock area, where Gow’s family had their modest estate, climb Brinkie’s Brae for views over the town, and explore the Stromness Museum to see Gow’s own telescope.
- Standing Stones of Stenness
According to local legend, Gow married Helen Gordon at the Odin Stone, which used to stand close to this ancient stone circle.
- Hall of Clestrain, Stenness
Gow’s men raided the Hall of Clestrain in 1725. The imposing building was also the birthplace of Orkney’s famous Arctic explorer, Dr John Rae.
- Carrick House, Eday
This 17th century manor in Eday was the site of Gow’s last piratical act, which ended in his capture. The house isn’t open to the public but there are fabulous views in the surrounding area, including from our Eday Heritage Walk.
- Kirkwall
Orkney’s capital is home to the Groatie Hoose, a garden folly built with volcanic rock that was used as ballast in Gow’s pirate ship, ‘Revenge’. Elsewhere you can see the location of the former tolbooth where the town’s Burgh Council organised the defence of Orkney against Gow.
- J. Gow Rum
‘Inspired by pirates’ is the tagline for Orkney’s award-winning rum distillery, found on the shore of Lamb Holm. The distillery produces a wide range of spiced, cask-aged, and white rums, along with some excellent pirate-themed merchandise. A visit here for a taster or two is the perfect way to round off your John Gow experience.
Visit the UHI Institute for Northern Studies website to download the trail leaflet for yourself. Paper copies can also be found across Orkney, including at the J. Gow Rum distillery.