Kirkwall marinas

Kirkwall offers a town stop among the northern islands. Much of Orkney’s everyday life is centred here, with streets of small shops, cafés and pubs leading from the harbour into the old centre. It feels busier than the smaller island settlements, while its historic core remains compact.

The main landmark is St Magnus Cathedral, built of red and yellow sandstone. It recalls the islands’ Norse past and gives Kirkwall a distinctive character among Orkney’s ports.