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Kirkwall (Orkney Islands), United Kingdom

Kirkwall (Orkney Islands)
United Kingdom

Orkney Islands is a chain of more than 70 islands that offer impressive landscapes that range from 1,000-foot cliffs to white sand beaches. A multitude of seabirds can also be observed. This region is also the one with the largest number of prehistoric sites in Europe such as the Ring of Bodgar and the 5,000-year-old village of Skara Brae. Kirkwall is the capital of the Orkney Islands. Sheep and livestock farming is at the centre of the region’s economy.

The weather is usually windy and cool. Plan to bring a good windbreaker.

Useful Information

Language

English

Tips

5% to 10% will be appreciated in restaurants and taxis.

Currency

GBP
British pound

Currency Converters:  
Bing  CAD  USD   EUR  
XE

Time difference

UTC: 0

from New York: +5h

from San Francisco: +7h

from London: None

Weather
°C °F

MonthTemperature (Celsius)Temperature (Fahrenheit)
Precipitations
Minimum
Maximum
(mminch)
January
235
644
1104.25
February
235
644
933.75
March
236
846
963.75
April
439
1049
602.25
May
642
1254
482.00
June
847
1457
532.00
July
1050
1661
572.25
August
1051
1661
662.50
September
948
1457
953.75
October
744
1153
1265.00
November
440
947
1265.00
December
236
744
1084.25

Where is located the Orkney Harbour Cruise Terminal

You will dock at Hatston Wharf, which is 3km from Kirkwall.

Travelling around the Kirkwall (Orkney Islands) Cruise Port

A free shuttle bus offered by the municipality is available to get to Kirkwall Bus Station.
If you choose to rent a car, compare prices and save with rentalcars.com.

Activities in Kirkwall (Orkney Islands)

Landmarks

St. Magnus Cathedral

Founded in 1137, it contains a medieval tomb.

Balfour Castle

A large castle and its landlocked Victorian garden inside the walls. You have to take a ferry to get there. Private residence. Can only be visited through an excursion.

Historical sites

The Bishop’s Palace and The Earl’s Palace

The medieval Bishop’s Palace was built around the same time as St Magnus Cathedral, in the early 1100s. The ornate Earl’s Palace was added much later, in the early 1600s.

Skara Brea

The best preserved prehistoric village in Europe. The ticket includes a visit to the Skail house, a house that testifies to life in this area.

Ring of Brodgar

Similar site to Stonehenge. There are 27 megaliths still standing.

Maeshowe

Prehistoric grave. You can visit the interpretation centre. UNESCO website.

Scapa Flow

Navy Base during the two World Wars

Museums

Orkney Museum

A house and a garden. The house houses a museum about archaeology.

Activities

Highland Park Distillery

The visitor centre offers tours as well as whisky tastings