Kirkwall On Foot

OVERVIEW

Enjoy a leisurely walk-through Kirkwall, a Scottish town with a Viking heritage and strong Norwegian influences. As you meander along the narrow flagstone streets, you can’t help but be taken by the beautiful historical buildings, especially along the waterfront. The highlight may well be the Romanesque-style St Magnus Cathedral, a red-and-yellow sandstone icon that dominates the skyline. Although founded in 1137, it wasn’t completed until 300 years later. While browsing the interior, you might climb the spiral stone staircases to the tower, which affords the ultimate view of Kirkwall. Nearby, you will find the ruins of the Bishop’s Palace, which was constructed around the same time as the cathedral, and the Earl’s Palace, an early 17th-century residence built by the infamously decadent and tyrannical Earl of Orkney, who was eventually executed for treason. Free time follows at the Tankerness House gardens, a tranquil oasis with an adjoining museum.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Walk along the historical streets of Kirkwall, the diminutive capital of the Orkney Islands.
• Behold the glorious interior of St Magnus, a cathedral founded in 1137.
• See the ruins of the Bishop’s and Earl’s palaces, which offer candid glimpses into the past.
• Admire the serene gardens of Tankerness House and browse its on-site museum.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.