Kirkwall Scotland Guide and Walking Tour
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Kirkwall Scotland is a colorful seaport and transportation hub in the Orkney Islands. Settled by Viking Norsemen, the town boasts a rich medieval history. Kirkwall’s compact, walkable downtown is home to excellent seafood restaurants, a vibrant craft district, and shops selling world-class whiskey products. Use our Kirkwall guide and walking tour to explore this historic town.
Our Kirkwall Scotland walking tour begins at the waterfront. The route takes in St. Magnus Cathedral, the Orkney Museum, and the Bishop’s and Earl’s Palaces. It concludes with a stroll along the pedestrian-only zone from the cathedral to the harbor. Trekking the narrow lanes and alleys of this 1,000 year old royal burgh is one of the best things to do in Scotland.
WHERE IS KIRKWALL SCOTLAND
Kirkwall is located on Mainland, the largest of Scotland’s Orkney Islands. The town lies about 210 miles north of Edinburgh.
Kirkwall is the capitol of the Orkney Islands. It has a small airport, well developed harbor, and regional bus service. The town serves as a transportation hub for the Orkney Islands with daily air and ferry services. Kirkwall has also become a popular cruise ship stop.
WHAT IS KIRKWALL SCOTLAND FAMOUS FOR
As the largest town on the Orkney Islands, Kirkwall is famous for being the archipelago’s main embarkation and departure point. Many Orkney Island tours to the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar, Maeshowe, and the Standing Stones of Stenness begin and end in Kirkwall.
Kirkwall Scotland is also well-known for its striking medieval monuments including St. Magnus Cathedral and the Earl’s Palace and Bishop’s Palaces. Finally, it is home its world-class whiskey and gin distilleries.
TRAVELING TO SCOTLAND? CONSIDER THESE WELL-REVIEWED TOURS
A BIT ABOUT KIRKWALL SCOTLAND
Around 1050, Kirkwall was settled by Vikings. Influence of the town’s Norsemen past is evident in its medieval architecture and monuments. The settlement became a royal Scottish burgh (town) in 1486.
Through the years, the town’s economy has been dominated by the sea (fishing and boat building), the weaving industry, and the making of high-end whiskey and gin. Today, the town of around 10,000 people functions as the main Orkney Island commercial center. It is full of bustling shops, restaurants, pubs, and inns.
ORKNEY ISLAND HOTELS
If you are staying the night on the Orkney Islands, try these Mainland hotels in Kirkwall Scotland:
ORKNEY ISLAND TOURS
The Orkney Islands are rural in nature. Kirkwall’s downtown is compact and walkable, but outside of town transportation is needed to see the island’s sites. Pair our Kirkwall Scotland walking tour with other Orkney Islands tours for a full day of sightseeing. Here are a few well-reviewed excursions:
ORKNEY ISLANDS WEATHER & BEST TIME TO VISIT KIRKWALL
The Orkney Islands have a maritime climate. The weather is cool and cloudy throughout the year with winter average temperatures of around 47’F, and summer of around 57’F. Randy and I think the best time to visit Kirkwall Scotland is in the early summer (May and June) when the weather is warm, most businesses are open, and tourism is not at peak summer levels (like in July and August).
KIRKWALL SCOTLAND WALKING TOUR DETAILS
Distance: 1.1 mile (1.8 km)
Duration: The walk would take about 26 minutes if trekked straight through. However, plan for a half day outing as you will likely stop to tour St. Magnus Cathedral, the Orkney Museum, and the Earl’s and Bishop’s Palaces.
GPS: Follow our Google map of the route. If you get lost, GPS the name of your next stop and follow the suggested route.
Dress: Wear sturdy walking shoes, layer clothing, and be prepared for wind and rain.
Churches: If you plan to visit the churches outlined on this route, dress conservatively (no bare shoulders or knees), and please don’t interrupt mass.
KIRKWALL SCOTLAND WALKING TOUR MAP
KIRKWALL SCOTLAND WALKING TOUR ROUTE
1. Kirkwall Hotel
Harbour St, Krikwall KW15 1LE, United Kingdom
Begin your walk at the grand Victorian-style Kirkwall Hotel. From this location you can view a good portion of the waterfront. Cross the street and trek Kirkwall Pier. As you explore the wharf, look for the Ferry Terminal, Harbour Master Office, and Fisheries Office. The bustling working pier is full of people, boats, and waterfront businesses.
Retrace your steps to the Kirkwall Hotel. Then, head right on Harbour Street until you reach a roundabout. Take the first exit onto Junction Rd/A963. Walk until you reach the Orkney Wireless Museum. Stop here if you have an interest in domestic and military wireless equipment.
2. Visit Scotland Kirkwall iCenter
W Castle St, Kirkwall KW15 1GU, United Kingdom
Find the Kirkwall Travel Centre at the corner of Junction Rd/A963 and West Castle Street. Take a few minutes to find information on things to do in Kirkwall Scotland and the Orkney Islands.
3. St. Magnus Cathedral
Broad St, Kirkwall KW15 1DH, United Kingdom
Continue on Castle Street until you come to Broad Street. Turn right, and enter the heart of medieval Kirkwall.
Soon you will reach St Magnus Cathedral. The 12th century Viking-commissioned church is known as the Light of the North. St. Magnus is the northernmost cathedral in Britain and one of the oldest. The red sandstone interior and stained glass windows bath the cathedral in a warm red glow. The working church offers daily worship and tours to the public.
Outside of St. Magnus walk around the grounds. There is a cemetery, green, and replica of the church’s merkat cross (market cross). Before modern communications, important proclamations were made at the cross (the original is inside the church).
4. Orkney Museum
Broad St, Kirkwall KW15 1DH, United Kingdon
From the market cross, walk across the street to the Orkney Museum. We encourage a stop at this great little museum. Exhibits tell the story of 5000 years of Orkney Islands history. Artifacts and paintings from the Iron Age to the Picts and Viking eras are on display.
The building itself consists of two large manor house which were joined together in the 16th century. As you navigate the maze of narrow halls and exhibit rooms it is easy to get lost in the many Viking treasures.
Leaving the Orkney Museum, walk up Watergate Street to the Bishop’s and Earl’s Palaces.
5. Bishop’s and Earl’s Palaces
Watergate, Kirkwall KW15 1 PD, United Kingdom
The Bishop’s Palace is thought to have been built concurrently with St. Magnus Cathedral. The structure was erected to house the bishop of the church (the building sits across the street from the cathedral). The two-story manor house was home to many bishops and crusaders.
Sitting next door, the Earl’s Palace was built about 400 years later by Patrick, Earl of Orkney. This notorious ruler constructed a home that was built to impress with elaborate staircases, turrets, fireplaces, and halls.
Today, visitors can tour the ruins of the Bishop’s and Earl’s Palaces on a joint ticket.
6. Highland Park Whiskey Store
58 Albert St, Kirkwall KW15 1 HQ, United Kingdom
From the medieval quarter, take Broad Street to Albert Street and walk to the Highland Park Whiskey Store. This company store sells products created at the Highland Park Whiskey Distillery located just outside of town. Highland Park is considered by many to be the finest Scotch whiskey distillery in the world. The Broad Street company store gives tastings and sells Highland Park products.
7. Shopping District
Exiting the Highland Park Whiskey Store take some time to explore the shopping streets in this area. Wander Bridge, Castle, Broad, and Victoria Streets. There are many locally owned one-of-a-kind craft and knitwear vendors. You will also find a wide array of restaurants, pubs, distillery and specialty food stores. The area is largely a pedestrian-only zone from St. Magnus Cathedral to the harbor.
As you wander look for local landmarks like Big Tree (an ancient tree growing in the middle of Albert St), St Olaf’s Kirk, and the Kirkwall East Church.
8. Kirkwall Hotel
End your walking loop where you began it at the waterfront Kirkwall Hotel.
Have fun and haste ye back (come back quickly), Laura and Randy
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