📌 Town on Orkney Mainland
★★★
Kirkwall is the capital of Orkney and a hub for its transport, shops and services. Inter-island ferries to Westray, Stronsay, Eday, Sanday and Shapinsay, and beyond to Aberdeen and Lerwick, depart from various piers in and nearby the town. The centre itself is a maze of interesting narrow streets: the sort where you keep finding new corners even after a few visits. The best places to eat are grouped together on the harbour front – Helgi’s has generally been the best of a good bunch for us. Much of the west side of the town has been reclaimed from the Peedie Sea, a once natural body of water now much reduced in size. Consequently, the oldest (and most interesting) part of the town is further east, with a cluster of historic buildings around Palace Road. There are a few local distilleries; these and all the other main attractions are listed below.
🌍 Location
📌 Orkney Mainland
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: HY 450111
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 58.983355,-2.958569
🚶 There’s lots to do in and around town – see list below. Highland Park Distillery is a mile’s walk on pavements; Scapa Distillery is about twice as far.
✈️🚢🚌 Kirkwall is the main hub for the Orkney Islands. Ferries from Shetland and Aberdeen call at Hatston pier, just over 1 mi out of town. Inter-island ferries (from Westray, Stronsay, Eday, Sanday and Shapinsay) dock in the town centre. Orkney’s main airport is a few miles away, with flights from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Shetland.There are several bus routes from all over Orkney Mainland and South Ronaldsay, including other ferry terminals.
🚗 Some car parks levy a small fee, but there’s plenty of free parking elsewhere.
Explore nearby
<1 mi away
>> Bishop’s & Earl’s Palaces (Kirkwall) ★★★
>> Grain Earth House ★★
>> Highland Park Distillery ★★★★
>> Orkney Museum ★★★
>> Peedie Sea ★★
>> St Magnus Cathedral ★★★★
<3 mi away
>> Scapa Distillery ★★★★ (2 mi ↓)
>> Wideford Hill ★★★ (2 mi ←)
>> Wideford Hill Chambered Cairn ★★★ (3 mi ←)
