Kirkwall Attractions

Diagonally opposite St Magnus Cathedral in Watergate stand the ruins of the Bishop's Palace which was started in the middle of the 12th C by Bishop William the Elder to provide alternative accommodation for the cathedral's guests. It was here in 1263 that King Haakon died. The palace was restored in the late 15th C and then again in the middle of the 16th C by Bishop Robert Reid, the founder of Edinburgh University.

Earl Patrick's Palace serves as one of the finest examples of 16th century Scottish secular architecture. The light sandstone structure, now a ruin, was completed in 1607 by the tyrannical Earl Patrick Stewart. The mature trees in the garden, mostly maples, were planted ca. 1840.

This annual week-long festival takes place in mid-June, with over 20 performances. Events include operas, orchestral, choral, chamber and organ concerts, theatrical and dance performances, recitals, visual arts exhibitions, children's activities and lectures. Both new and established names can be found on the program.

The repertoire also ranges from early-classical to new compositions.

The events take place in a number of venues, including St Magnus Cathedral, the Phoenix Cinema and the Pier Arts Centre.

Tankerness House is situated where Palace Road meets Broad Street, Kirkwall's main commercial thoroughfare with many small shops and welcoming pubs. The house originally consisted of two buildings which were converted for the first Protestant priest Gilbert Fulzie in 1574. It was later acquired by the Baikie of Tankerness merchant family. This fine town house now contains an exhibition on the history of the Orkneys.