Things to do in  Kirkwall

Separated from the northern tip of mainland Scotland by the choppy waters of the Pentland Firth strait, the Orkney Islands are an archaeological wonderland. Comprised of about 20 inhabited islands and many more uninhabited ones, Orkney is littered with prehistoric ruins and Viking remnants. The islands’ interiors, a patchwork of heather-clad moors and fertile grasslands, are encircled by superb sandy beaches and sheer coastal cliffs.

The standing stones that form Orkney’s Ring of Brodgar rise out of the tall green grass and purple heather between Loch Harray and Loch Stenness. Twenty of the original 60 stones survive, and at 340 feet (104 meters) in diameter, this is the third-biggest stone circle in Britain. Thought to have been built around 2000-2500 BC, it is even older than Stonehenge.

Maeshowe Chambered Cairn is a chambered tomb in northern Scotland that is more than 5,000 years old. It’s considered the finest Neolithic building in northwest Europe due to its design, stonework construction, and use of massive individual stones. At least 3,000 years after it was closed up, Norsemen broke into the chamber, leaving behind runic inscriptions on the walls—it’s one of the largest collections outside Scandinavia.

One of Orkney’s most poignant sites, the Italian Chapel is a testament to the human spirit. The chapel was built by Italian World War II prisoners who had been taken to Orkney to construct the Churchill Barriers. Created from two Nissen huts and scrap material, the ornately decorated chapel and its moving back story make it an Orkney highlight.

The red and yellow sandstone walls of St. Magnus, Britain’s most northerly cathedral, tower over the narrow streets of Kirkwall, Orkney. Commissioned in 1137 by the Norse Earl Rognvald, the Romanesque cathedral took 300 years to construct and has long been the spiritual heart of Orkney and its most-visited attraction.

Located off the northern coast of Scotland, Scapa Flow is a strategically located, sheltered natural harbor. In use since Viking times, it was the location of several key events during World War I and II. Today, it’s a point of interest in the Orkney Islands, offering a rich maritime history, and spectacular seascapes.

Duncansby Head, located in northern Scotland, is the northernmost point on the British mainland. It is a set of dramatic sandstone cliffs that overlook the sea and offer views of Orkney, John O’Groats, and Dunnet Head. Exploring the area along the coastal pathway will give you a great opportunity to see some of the region's unique seabirds and other wildlife.