Kirkwall Attractions
Kirkwall (old Norwegian "kirkjuvagr" = "church bay") lies by a broad bay and at the narrowest point on the island. Of the 14,000 Orcadians who live on Mainland, about half reside in the island's main town. Its narrow streets and gray houses with tiny windows and gables overlooking the street are reminiscent of Norwegian architecture.
Bishop's Palace
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.
Historic Scotland
Longmore House
Salisbury Place
Jedburgh TD8 6JQ
Scotland
Longmore House
Salisbury Place
Jedburgh TD8 6JQ
Scotland
Hours
April 1 to October 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 |
| Close | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 |
Earl Patrick's Palace
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.
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St Magnus Cathedral
Kirkwall's finest building is the St Magnus Cathedral, begun in 1137 and finished in the 15th C.
Orkney - St Magnus Festival
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.
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 Museum
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.
