Why go
- Town on Orkney, Scotland.
- Served by Wick John O'Groats Airport (WIC).
History
Kirkwall is a port town and historic royal burgh in Orkney, an archipelago to the north of mainland Scotland. It is approximately 210 miles north of Edinburgh, 221 miles north-northeast of Glasgow, and 124 miles north-northwest of Aberdeen. It had a population of 9,293 in 2011, making it the largest town in Orkney.
Restaurants & places to go
21 more places in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →
Airports
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 2 airlines, 11 direct destinations
- Linhas A LM (BNI) · 6 routes: Eday, North Ronaldsay, Papa Westray, Sanday, Stronsay, Westray
- Flybe BE (Saab 340, S20) · 5 routes: Aberdeen*, Edinburgh*, Glasgow*, Inverness*, Sumburgh*
Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 2 airlines, 2 direct destinations
Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 1 airline, 1 direct destination
- Linhas A LM (BNI) · 1 route: Kirkwall
Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 1 airline, 2 direct destinations
Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 1 airline, 2 direct destinations
Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.
Getting there by ferry
Where things are
Photographs
credit: Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons · See source page
When to go
The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.
Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.
Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.
Getting there & around
Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Wick John O'Groats Airport (WIC); 3 other airports serve the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: KOI has direct flights to 11 destinations on 2 airlines (incl. Aberdeen, Eday, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness…). By water: 6 ferry terminals within 12 mi (nearest: Kirkwall, 0.6 mi); routes include Kirkwall - Shapinsay, Kirkwall - Eday, Houton - Flotta.
Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Kirkwall, Orkney, UK. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.