Kirkwall - Orkney

About Kirkwall - Orkney

St Magnus Cathedral Kirkwall Orkney
Kirkwall has long been an important town with the first mention of it in the Orkneyinga saga (a historic narrative of the history of the Orkneys written in the 13th century) dating from 1046. Its origins are Norse and the name of the town is derived from the Norse name Kirkjuvagr (Church Bay).

St Magnus Cathedral was built by the Vikings in 1137 and additions to it continued for three hundred years. Funds had to be raised from the Orcadian farmers themselves to finish it. It is unusual in the fact that the cathedral has never actually belonged to the Church, but to the Orcadian people. It is the most northerly cathedral in Britain. It is named after the canonised son of King Magnus of Norway who was martyred after being killed on the instruction of his brother. St Magnus had the reputation of being something of a pacifist and refused to fight in the Battle of Anglesey in Wales. After his untimely death miraculous healings and events happened after people had prayed at his grave at the church in Birsay (now called St Magnus Church). His remains were later entombed in St Magnus Cathedral when he was canonised.

The cathedral is made of red sandstone quarried locally near Kirkwall and yellow sandstone from Eday. The different colours have been used to create different patterns within its makeup. Much restoration work has been ongoing since the 19th century which has meant that many of the medieval chapels and shrines and decoration on the walls have been removed. The cathedral also has a dungeon thought to date from the sixteenth century. It originally had a chute leading from the Hall of Justice above from where prisoners were thrown to be incarcerated in total darkness. There are some historic immortalised in St Magnus Cathedral including the tomb of John Rae the 19th century Arctic explorer born in Stromness as well as memorials of poets including George Mackay Brown, Eric Linklater, Edwin Muir and Robert Rendall.

Adjacent to the cathedral is the St Magnus Centre which will fill you in on St Magnus' life. It also contains a library, cafe and souvenir shop. St Magnus Centre, Palace Road, Kirkwall, KW15 1PA. Tel: 01856 878326. Open Mon-Sat 9am-6pm. Sun 2pm-6pm. Reduced hours in winter. Guided tours of the cathedral are available which are a useful way of getting to grips with the history and architecture. Tours of the upper floors and tower must be booked in advance.

Kirkwall Historic Monuments, Museums Orkney Islands
South of the cathedral is the Historic Scotland managed Bishop's Palace. Much of what is left is actually from the 16th century although it was originally built in the 12th century. It is where King Haakon died in 1263 after his defeat at the Battle of the Largs. The Palace is considered the most accomplished piece of Renaissance architecture left in Scotland. Open April-Sept Mon-Sun 9.30am-5.30pm. Oct-Mar Mon-Sun 9.30am-4.30pm. The admission fee for the Bishop's Palace also covers entrance to the Earl's Palace next door. Built by the oppressive Earl Patrick Stewart in the early 17th century this is more intact with more detail of the building still visible. It didn't stay in the Stewart's hands for long as Patrick Stewart was arrested before it was completed. It had already fell into ruin by 1745.

Opposite the cathedral is Tankerness House a 16th century Laird's house which now houses The Orkney Museum. Displays recount the history of the Orkney Islands all the way back to Stone, Bronze and Iron Ages up to the present day. Artefacts from Picts and Vikings are of particular interest including Viking items that were excavated from a Viking boat burial on Sanday. The museum also holds a range of exhibitions and the walled gardens are open to the public. The Orkney Museum - Tankerness House, Broad Street, Kirkwall, Orkney. Tel: 01856 873191. Fax: 01856 871560. Open May-Sep Mon-Sat 10.30am-5pm. Oct-Apr Mon-Sat 10.30am-12.30pm and 1.30-5pm.

The town's other museum is the Wireless Museum near the harbour. This tiny museum traces the history of communication from early domestic radio through to wartime communications in Orkney. The exhibits originate from the late Jim MacDonald's collection that he amassed throughout his life. Orkney Wireless Museum, Kiln Corner Junction Road. Kirkwall, Orkney KW15 1LB. Tel: 01856 871400

St Magnus Festival Kirkwall
St Magnus Festival, Magfest for short, is a celebration of the arts that is hosted on Mainland between a variety of venues in Kirkwall and Stromness. A selection of visiting artists also tour the Outer Orkney Islands to give performances and hold workshops for the schools and communities there.

It is an important event in the Orkney calendar when people flock to the islands to take part or listen to the many orchestras and composers that make up a full and varied programme. Accommodation is scarce during the festival with many people booking well in advance.

Tickets are available from St Magnus Festival Box Office, 60 Victoria Street, Kirkwall, Orkney KW15 1DN. Tel: 01856 871445. Fax: 01856 871170 or in person from the Box Office. Check the website, link right, for up-to-date information.

Highland Park Distillery Single Malt Whisky Tour
Just outside Kirkwall is the Highland Park Distillery, Scotland's most northerly distillery. It started out as an illegal still of a church officer who apparently hid it beneath his pulpit! It's a classic looking 18th century distillery with the distinctive towers protruding above the warehouses.

Highland Park whisky is a lovely peaty malt which derives from the locally cut peat used in the drying process. You can take a tour from the Visitor Centre to see how it's made. The tour starts off with an audiovisual presentation available in different languages and then a tour of the whisky making process itself. Highland Park is one of the few distilleries that still have their own floor maltings and kilns. The single malt is aged in former bourbon or sherry barrels for a minimum of 12 years. At the end of the tour you're brought into the shop where you can purchase Highland Park related gifts or the whisky itself. A discount from the full price is refundable against your tour ticket.