Plan a trip to Kirkwall

Orkney is an archipelago off the north coast of Scotland, with more than 70 islands of which only 16 are permanently inhabited. Kirkwall, which is situated on the largest island called Mainland, is the biggest settlement and capital of the Orkney Islands. It is accessible from Aberdeen or several other locations either by ferry or by plane. 

Kirkwall was once a Norse settlement and remained part of the Scandinavian kingdom until 1468. Then the islands were pawned off to the Scottish Crown by Christian I of Denmark as a dowry for his daughter’s marriage to James III of Scotland.

The Light in the North is the moniker for the 12th century early Gothic St. Magnus Cathedral in the center of the town of Kirkwall. Perhaps it sounds a bit unusual but it was founded by a Viking to honor a family member who had been martyred in Orkney. Kirkwall is also home to many artists and artisans and while you are touring and shopping make sure to stop by one of the many restaurants and cafes. 

The Orkney islands also offer lots of beach trails, sea cliffs, marshlands and natural habitats which makes it heaven for the wildlife, including so many thousands of birds in the air and on land as well as dolphins and whales and orcas in the sea.

However, Orkney is most famous for its prehistoric heritage and there are some sites that are a must for every traveler who visits these islands.

Welcome to Skara Brae, the intriguing Neolithic village near the dramatic white-sand beach of the Bay of Skaill. Uncovered by a storm in 1850, the site takes you back to life in Orkney around 5,000 years ago. The Village's ancient homes were furnished with stone bed enclosures, dressers and chairs.  A marvelous reconstruction of a house from those times shows visitors what the prehistoric homes looked like.

Not far from Skara Brea, 2 Neolithic stone circles of The Ring of Brodgar and the Standing Stones of Stenness, both older than Stonehenge, will give you lots of time to contemplate as to their purpose - a religious shrine or maybe astronomical observation of the equinox and solstice.

Scapa Flow is a body of water in the Orkney Islands, sheltered by the islands of Mainland, Graemsay, Burray, South Ronaldsay and Hoy and this has played an important role in travel, trade and conflict throughout the centuries.  

During WWII, of about 75 German ships more than 60 were sunk and they can still be seen at Scapa Flow.  As well, on Lamb Holm and Burray, hundreds of Italian prisoners of war were held. One such prisoner had to build a small chapel from two Nissen huts (a prefabricated steel structure). Domenico Chiocchetti will always be remembered for his reconstruction and the inspiring and unique painting of the interior, now called the Italian Chapel because of its resemblance to a chapel with vaulted ceilings, supports, and frescoes of angels and Madonna and Child.