• View over Kirkwall, Orkney

Kirkwall & St Ola

Orkney’s vibrant capital comes with an historic town centre full of character. Kirkwall is the beating heart of our islands, and a place where most journeys across our archipelago begin.

About Kirkwall

Kirkwall is home to around a third of Orkney’s population and a stroll through its bustling centre showcases its cosmopolitan nature. A single street snakes its way south from the colourful harbour, lined with hotels, restaurants, cafes, and a fabulous range of shops and independent retailers.

Its name comes from the Norse ‘Kirkjuvagr’, meaning ‘Church on the bay’, and a Viking spirit still runs through the town, focused on the magnificent St Magnus Cathedral. Reminders of the town’s medieval past are everywhere, and a day or two could easily be spent exploring its rich history.

It’s a hub for locals and visitors alike with all the services you’d expect from a town of its size, including a swimming pool, soft play areas, and Orkney’s cinema. But Kirkwall also has pockets of peace and quiet to enjoy, and excellent walking routes offering sweeping views of this special place.

Useful information

  • Getting around

    Despite the relative sprawl of Kirkwall in general, the town centre is compact and easily walkable. Heading from the harbourfront through to the end of the main shopping district at Victoria Street only takes around ten minutes on foot, and passes most of Kirkwall’s main attractions.

    There is a town bus service which is predominantly aimed at servicing Kirkwall’s residential areas, but it does include Scapa beach on its route. It might also be handy for anyone keen to get within easier walking distance of Highland Park Distillery or Scapa Distillery.

    Kirkwall is a transport hub and home to the Orkney Travel Centre, where all mainland bus services arrive and depart from. Orkney Ferries runs its north isles sailings from Kirkwall Pier (note – the service to Rousay, Egilsay & Wyre operates from Tingwall in the West Mainland), and the NorthLink Ferries crossings to Shetland and Aberdeen sail from Hatston Pier, two miles from Kirkwall harbour. An integrated bus service connecting the town and the ferry terminal is available.

    Kirkwall Airport is a little over three miles east of the town with a regular bus service provided. If you’re planning to use taxis then these should be booked well in advance.

    Cycle hire is available from Cycle Orkney and should be booked as early as possible.

    Kirkwall also has excellent marina facilities - visit the Orkney Marinas website for more information.

  • Shopping

    Kirkwall is home to a fantastic array of shops, from local food, drink and craft producers and hardware stores, to the larger retailers you’d expect to find in towns and cities across the UK.

    The shopping district is centered on Bridge Street, Albert Street, Broad Street, and Victoria Street, which in reality is a single street that runs through the heart of town. This area, along with the harbourfront, is also home to most of Kirkwall’s hotels, restaurants, cafes and bars.

    Somewhat confusingly, Kirkwall also has a Main Street and a High Street, but unlike other parts of the country, these are residential areas and would leave potential shoppers relatively disappointed.

  • Fuel

    Petrol and diesel are available at Mills Filling Station on Pickaquoy Road, at W. R. Tullock on Junction Road, and at Ticketyboo on Burnmouth Road.

  • Public toilets

    There are public toilets available at:

    • East Pier waiting room at Kirkwall Pier: one gents’ toilet, one ladies’ toilet and one accessible toilet
    • Shore Street: one ladies' toilet and one gents' toilet
    • Shapinsay Slip waiting room: one gents’ toilet, one ladies’ toilet and an accessible toilet (Radar key needed)
    • Kirkwall Travel Centre: one ladies’ toilet, one gents’ toilet, one open accessible toilet and one accessible toilet (Radar key needed)
    • St Magnus Lane: one ladies’ toilet, one gents’ toilet and an accessible toilet (Radar key needed)
    • Scapa beach: one ladies' toilet, one gents' toilet and an accessible toilet (Radar key needed)

As you might expect from a town the size of Kirkwall, there’s a lot to see and do here.

It’s home to some of Orkney’s most popular visitor attractions, but it’s also an ideal destination for food and drink lovers and shoppers, with a fabulous range of eateries and independent businesses.

Keep reading to discover some of the town’s best sites, and find out where you can get a taste of Orkney too.

History

From Iron Age and Viking sites, to pirate ships and palaces, Kirkwall is full of history. Check out our listings below to begin discovering the story of the town.

Leisure, sport & nature

Even though Kirkwall might feel positively metropolitan compared to the rest of the Orkney, there are still plenty of opportunities to get out, get active, and enjoy the great outdoors here.

Food, drink & crafts

Kirkwall is the base for many members of Orkney’s creative community, including whisky and gin distilleries, traditional furniture makers, and jewellery designers.

Eating out

If you’re looking to sample some of Orkney’s incredible larder then you’ll almost certainly find the perfect location in Kirkwall. The town hosts a wide range of restaurants, bars, cafés, and takeaways, all serving the finest freshly cooked local ingredients.

Use the key below to explore Kirkwall & St Ola with our interactive map.

Historical Sites
Grain Earth House
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Historical Sites
Groatie Hoose
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Historical Sites, Museums
Orkney Library & Archive
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Historical Sites, Museums
Orkney Wireless Museum
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Historical Sites
St Magnus Cathedral
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Historical Sites, Museums
St Magnus Cathedral Upper Level tours
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Historical Sites, Museums
St Magnus Centre
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Historical Sites
The Bishop's and Earl's Palaces
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Historical Sites, Museums
The Orkney Museum
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Historical Sites
Wideford Hill Cairn
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Eating Out
Albert Hotel - The Neuk Restaurant & Bar
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Eating Out
Archive Coffee
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Eating Out
Cafelolz
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Eating Out
Judith Glue Real Food Cafe
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Eating Out
Kirkwall and St Ola Town Hall and Community Centre
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Eating Out
Lucano Restaurant
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Eating Out
Lynnfield Hotel & Restaurant
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Eating Out
Mrs Chips Ltd
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Eating Out
Nesting Box Bakes
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Eating Out
Picky Cafe
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Eating Out
Royal British Legion
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Eating Out
Skippers Bar
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Eating Out
Snak Pot
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Eating Out
Some Good Cuppa
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Eating Out
St Ola Hotel Ltd
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Eating Out
SunBean Coffee House
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Eating Out
The Ayre Hotel
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Eating Out
The Daily Scoop
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Eating Out
The Foveran Restaurant with Rooms
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Eating Out
The Kirkwall Hotel Restaurant
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Eating Out
The Mart Cafe
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Eating Out
The Orkney Hotel
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Eating Out, Leisure Centres, Cinemas
The Pickaquoy Centre
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Eating Out
The Storehouse Restaurant
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Eating Out
Trenabies Cafe Bistro
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Eating Out
Twenty One
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Eating Out
Wellpark Garden Centre
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Food & Drink Trail
Highland Park Distillery and Visitor Centre
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Food & Drink Trail
Orkney Cheese Company Ltd
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Food & Drink Trail
Scapa Distillery Visitor Centre
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Food & Drink Trail
The Orkney Distillery
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Craft Workshops & Studios
Orkney Cloth
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Craft Workshops & Studios
Robin Palmer Ceramics
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Leisure Centres
KGS Sports Centre
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Events
Upper Level tours of St Magnus Cathedral
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Beaches
Inganess
Beaches
Scapa
Play Areas
Balfour Hospital
Play Areas
Brandyquoy Park
Play Areas
Broadsands
Play Areas
Glaitness
Play Areas
Hordaland
Play Areas
Manse Road
Play Areas
Papdale East
Play Areas
Pickaquoy Centre Jungle World Soft Play
Play Areas
Skatepark
Play Areas
Summerdale
Play Areas
The Pickaquoy Centre
Play Areas
Watson Close
Play Areas
Wellpark Soft Play Area
Art Galleries
For Arts Sake
Cinemas
The Pickaquoy Centre
Marinas
Kirkwall Marina
Public toilets
East Pier Waiting Room
Public toilets
Kirkwall Travel Centre
Public toilets
Scapa Beach
Public toilets
Shapinsay Slip Waiting Room
Public toilets
Shore Street
Public toilets
St Magnus Lane

Find your perfect home from home in Kirkwall & St Ola.