A historic Scottish port town with a 12th-century Viking cathedral, local museums, and traditional pubs. The main gateway to explore the Orkney archipelago.
Kirkwall is the main town of the Orkney Islands, located 130 miles north of Aberdeen on Mainland Orkney's northern coast. The red sandstone St Magnus Cathedral stands in the center of town, surrounded by medieval streets. You can visit the 16th-century Earl's Palace ruins, learn about island life at the Orkney Museum, watch whisky production at Highland Park Distillery, or take day trips to ancient monuments like the Ring of Brodgar and Skara Brae.
Getting to Kirkwall
You can reach Kirkwall by ferry from Aberdeen (6-hour journey) or by air from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Inverness. The airport is 2.5 miles from the town center. Once in Kirkwall, the compact town center makes walking the easiest way to explore - it takes about 10 minutes to walk from the harbor to Victoria Street.
Walking Through Medieval Streets
The main street runs from the harbor through Bridge Street and Albert Street, where you'll find independent shops selling local crafts, knitwear, and jewelry. The 12th-century St Magnus Cathedral, built from red sandstone by the same craftsmen who worked on Durham Cathedral, is the town's central landmark. Next to it stand the ruins of the Bishop's Palace and Earl's Palace, both significant examples of medieval architecture.
Museums and Culture
The Orkney Museum occupies Tankerness House, a 16th-century townhouse. Its collections span 5,000 years, including Viking artifacts and items from prehistoric settlements. The Orkney Wireless Museum contains communication equipment dating back over 100 years, making it one of the few museums worldwide focused on wireless history.
Local Traditions and Events
On Christmas Day and New Year's Day, locals play the Ba Game, dividing into two teams - the Uppies and Doonies. Each summer, the St Magnus International Festival brings classical music performances to venues around town. These events connect modern island life with centuries-old customs.
Food and Drink
Restaurants near the harbor serve seafood caught daily and beef from Orkney farms. At Highland Park Distillery on the town's outskirts, you can see how whisky is made and sample their single malt varieties.
Weather and Climate
The oceanic climate creates cool summers and mild winters. Summer days stretch to almost 18 hours of daylight in June, while winter brings short days and frequent strong winds.
Transport Hub
From Kirkwall, you can travel to other Orkney islands via regular ferries departing from Kirkwall Pier, while larger vessels including cruise ships dock at Hatston Pier. The bus station connects to most parts of Mainland Orkney, with more frequent services to historic sites during summer months.
