Template:FP-Kirkwall

Kirkwall Harbour, Orkney

Kirkwall Kirkwall is the largest town and capital of Orkney. A royal burgh since the days of James III, it stands in the middle of Mainland, where the island is pinched to north and south leaving a narrow gap between Kirkwall on the north coast and Scapa on the south. The name Kirkwall is derived from the Old Norse Kirkjuvagr, meaning "Church Bay". Though a mighty town in the context of the islands, Kirkwall is by other standards small and quiet. It bears reminders of the great power once wielded here, in particular the vast St Magnus Cathedral, built by the Norse Earls of Orkney, and beside it, now decayed to ruin, the Earls' residence, while wandering lanes join the town together. (Read more)