Kirkwall - Local Information

Information

Local Attractions

Skara Brae

An ancient stone age settlement on the mainland. Now in the care of Historic Scotland.

Tomb of the Eagles

Isbister Chambered Cairn and Visitor Centre, STB 4 Star Attraction
Liddle, St. Margarets Hope, Orkney KW17 2RW
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Maes Howe

Magnificent stone age tomb with Viking graffiti
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Ring of Brogar

Standing stone ring in West Mainland
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Scapa Flow

Visit the area where the German Fleet was sunk during WWII. You can also go diving
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Italian Chapel

Superb chapel constructed by Italian prisoners in WWII
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Cubbie Row’s Castle & St Mary’s Chapel

One of the earliest stone castles to survive in Scotland, built in about 1145. On the island of Wyre 0.5m from pier
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Highland Park Distillery

Distillery and visitor centre near Kirkwall
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Orkney Museum

Museum in the centre of Kirkwall
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Balfour Castle

Baronial castle on Shapinsay with walled gardens
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Bishop's & Earl's Palaces

Two palaces in Kirkwall
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St Magnus Cathedral

Magnificent Norse cathedral in Kirkwall
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Brough of Birsay

Viking settlement on tidal island
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Orkney Wireless Museum

The development of wireless in Orkney from the start of the last century to the present day
Kiln Corner, Junction Road, Kirkwall KW15 1LB
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Pier Arts Centre

Modern art gallery is housed in two 18th century buildings, a house and warehouse backing on to the pier
28-30 Victoria Street, Stromness, Orkney KW16 3AA
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Sheila Fleet Jewellery

Jewellery make and visitor centre
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Eating Out

Ayre Hotel

Lunch and bar menu served throughout the day, A La Carte in the evenings
Ayre Road, Kirkwall, Orkney
A three star hotel overlooking Kirkwall harbour
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The Bothy Bar

Contemporary and relaxing atmosphere, variety of dining options, great local produce, local ales and whiskies, STB 3 Star Hotel
Albert Hotel, Mounthoolie Lane, Kirkwall, Orkney, KW15 1HW
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Ferry Inn

Comfortable friendly Inn situated centrally by the harbour area of the picturesque town of Stromness. High standard of food with local seafood dishes as a speciality, STB 2 Star Inn
John Street, Stromness, Orkney, KW16 3AA
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West End Hotel

STB 3 Star Small Hotel
Main Street, Kirkwall, Orkney, KW15 1BU

The Smithy Restaurant

Seafood a speciality. Full lunch and evening menus. Meals with a difference, boat charters arranged
Balfour Village, Shapinsay, Orkney

Stromness Hotel

The a la carte Scapa Flow Restaurant prides itself on using the finest local Orcadian produce; the very best grass-reared beef, fresh fish and succulent shellfish, STB 3 Star Hotel
The Pier Head, Stromness, Orkney, KW16 3AA
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Wildlife

Hen harrier, merlin, short-eared owl, curlew, red grouse, great skuta, dunlin, guillemot, razorbill, kittiwake, red-throated diver, seals.

Birsay Moors

RSPB Reserve RSPB's largest reserve on Mainland Orkney. This large area is ideal for birds of prey in search of food
Nearest town: Kirkwall
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Brodgar RSPB Reserve

Spectacular location, surrounding the Ring of Brodgar, at the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site
Nearest town: Stromness
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Cottascarth & Rendall Moss RSPB Reserve

Experience Orkney’s ancient open moorland. A great place to see hen harriers, merlins and short-eared owls
Nearest town: Kirkwall
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Hobbister RSPB Reserve

Many upland habitats including heather moor, bog and wet heath, in addition to cliffs, tidal sandflats and saltmarsh overlooking Scapa Flow
Nearest town: Kirkwall
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Trumland RSPB Reserve

This nature reserve is a typical piece of Orkney moorland and is an important part of the network of upland heath and mire habitats across the islands
On Rousay
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North Hill RSPB Reserve

The North Hill reserve is situated at the north end of the small island of Papa Westray, one of the northern isles of Orkney
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Noup Cliffs RSPB Reserve

The dramatic Noup Cliffs support Orkney's largest 'seabird city' and the stunning scenery and the noise and smell of the thousands of summer breeding seabirds make a visit to this reserve an unforgettable experience
On Westray
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Onziebust RSPB Reserve O

A farmland and wetland reserve on the island of Egilsay, managed primarily for corncrakes
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Mill Dam RSPB Reserve

Back in the 1880s, this wetland was formed when a marsh was dammed to provide water power to a mill. Now, the water levels are controlled to provide maximum benefit for breeding birds
On Shapinsay
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Loons & Lochs of Banks RSPB Reserve

This marshland reserve is one of the best remaining marshes in the Orkney islands
Nearest town: Stromness
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Roving Eye Enterprises

A unique boat tour to see the underwater wrecks of the German Fleet
Underwater boat tour of Scapa Flow
Westrow Lodge, Orphir, Orkney, KW17 2RD
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Explorer Fast Sea Charters

Orkney's leading Eco-tour operator, offers you the chance to view the previously inaccessible wildlife and coastal scenery of Orkney on a wildlife and coastal tour
Office 5 Harbour Terminal, Kirkwall Pier, Kirkwall Orkney, KW15 1HU
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Frank Alexander, Manager

"Orkney has it all: spectacular cliffs, endless skies, an abundance of wildlife, and tons of living, breathing history. The friendly Kirkwall Youth Hostel is conveniently located in the center of it all, making it the perfect base for exploring Orkney Mainland and the Northern isles"