Town Walk, Cathedral and Palaces Tour

The Town Walk, Cathedral and Palaces tour, starts at the harbour, moving up through the historic City and Royal Burgh of Kirkwall. You will follow the narrow, winding streets, that made up Kirkwall’s medieval coastline, listening to stories of the notorious Pressgang and of Orcadian wedding traditions. Hear about the fearsome Kirkwall Ba Game, that divides the town in half, at Christmas and New Year. Then get a guided tour around the magnificent 12th century St Magnus Cathedral.

You will then go on to visit Kirkwall’s two palaces (Admission included). Firstly, the Bishop's Palace, the construction of which begun in the 12th century, at the same time as St Magnus Cathedral. Finally you will move on to the early 17th century Earl's Palace, which in its’ day, was one of Scotland's finest Renaissance buildings. You will hear stories about its’ builder the tyrannical Earl Patrick Stewart, whose nickname was ‘Black Patie’. The tour ends in Tankerness House Gardens, with the story of Orkney’s very own Pirate Gow.