Kirkwall is a town located in the Orkney Islands of Scotland. The town is the administrative capital of the Orkney Islands, and is the largest settlement in the region. It is situated on the island of Mainland and is the most northerly town in the United Kingdom.
The town has a population of around 8,500 people and is steeped in history and culture. It is home to a number of historic sites, including St Magnus Cathedral which was built in the 12th century and is one of the best preserved medieval cathedrals in the country. The town also contains several other ancient sites, such as the ruins of the Bishop’s Palace and St Magnus Kirk, which date back to the 14th century.
The town is a popular tourist destination, with its picturesque harbour and cobbled streets. There are a number of attractions in the town, including the Orkney Museum, the Orkney Library, and the Orkney Heritage Centre. There are also a number of shops and restaurants in the town, as well as a number of art galleries.
Kirkwall is also an important port, with ferries connecting the town to mainland Scotland and other islands in the Orkney archipelago. It also has a small airport, which connects the town to the rest of the UK.
Kirkwall has a long and fascinating history, with evidence of settlement from as early as the Neolithic period. It was an important trading centre in the Viking era and was the site of several important battles during the Wars of Scottish Independence. It was also the site of the signing of the Treaty of Kirkwall in 1468, which ended the feud between the Earls of Orkney and the Scottish Crown.
Experience Kirkwall with unforgettable activities by our partner GetYourGuide. The offer is also ideal as a special gift idea for family and friends who are planning to visit Kirkwall. Cancellations are possible up to 24h before the start of the activity (unless otherwise stated in the activity description), with a full refund of the booking price.
Kirkwall in Great Britain experiences a mild oceanic climate with cool summers and mild winters. Spring (March - May): Spring in Kirkwall is generally mild with temperatures ranging from 7-12°C (45-54°F). Rainfall is common, with an average of 10 days of rain per month. Summer (June - August): Summer temperatures in Kirkwall range from 12-18°C (54-64°F). Rainfall is still common, but less frequent than in spring, with an average of 6-7 days of rain per month. Autumn (September - November): Autumn in Kirkwall is mild with temperatures ranging from 8-13°C (46-55°F). Rainfall is more frequent again, with an average of 10 days of rain per month. Winter (December - February): Winter temperatures in Kirkwall range from 4-9°C (39-48°F). Rainfall is the most frequent during this season, with an average of 11 days of rain per month.
Our weather forecast for Kirkwall helps plan your stay according to the weather. For sunny days, pack light and breathable clothes, swimwear, and sunscreen. For winter weather, it's recommended to bring warm clothes, gloves, a hat, sturdy footwear, and a raincoat.
Date | Icon | Temperature | Wind speed/gusts | Cloudiness/Visibility | Air humidity/pressure | Sunrise/Sunset |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Oct. 7th 2024 Oct. 7th 2024 | max: 12.0 °C min: 11.2 °C |
24.8 m/s 41.4 m/s |
98.3 % 20.0 m |
88.8 % 996 hPa |
07:31:19 18:26:41 |
|
Oct. 8th 2024 Oct. 8th 2024 | max: 11.4 °C min: 9.6 °C |
32.0 m/s 51.1 m/s |
94.6 % 23.8 m |
82.8 % 1,000 hPa |
07:33:37 18:23:49 |
|
Oct. 9th 2024 Oct. 9th 2024 | max: 9.5 °C min: 7.2 °C |
41.8 m/s 66.2 m/s |
87.1 % 21.4 m |
69.1 % 1,001 hPa |
07:35:56 18:20:58 |
|
Oct. 10th 2024 Oct. 10th 2024 | max: 7.9 °C min: 6.6 °C |
31.7 m/s 49.0 m/s |
43.7 % 22.9 m |
70.4 % 1,004 hPa |
07:38:15 18:18:07 |
|
Oct. 11th 2024 Oct. 11th 2024 | max: 9.7 °C min: 6.2 °C |
40.0 m/s 46.4 m/s |
65.7 % 24.1 m |
72.8 % 1,006 hPa |
07:40:35 18:15:17 |
|
Oct. 12th 2024 Oct. 12th 2024 | max: 10.5 °C min: 7.4 °C |
69.5 m/s 77.8 m/s |
86.9 % 15.9 m |
71.8 % 999 hPa |
07:42:55 18:12:28 |
|
Oct. 13th 2024 Oct. 13th 2024 | max: 9.4 °C min: 7.7 °C |
59.5 m/s 68.9 m/s |
87.6 % 23.7 m |
64.4 % 1,018 hPa |
07:45:15 18:09:39 |
|
Oct. 14th 2024 Oct. 14th 2024 | max: 10.4 °C min: 8.3 °C |
33.8 m/s 34.6 m/s |
99.7 % 24.1 m |
63.8 % 1,023 hPa |
07:47:36 18:06:51 |
|
Oct. 15th 2024 Oct. 15th 2024 | max: 11.2 °C min: 10.3 °C |
50.2 m/s 56.9 m/s |
99.7 % 24.1 m |
82.1 % 1,017 hPa |
07:49:57 18:04:03 |
|
Oct. 16th 2024 Oct. 16th 2024 | max: 11.1 °C min: 10.8 °C |
62.3 m/s 74.9 m/s |
94.1 % 24.1 m |
82.3 % 1,009 hPa |
07:52:19 18:01:16 |
|
Oct. 17th 2024 Oct. 17th 2024 | max: 13.5 °C min: 10.8 °C |
64.8 m/s 87.8 m/s |
88.4 % 21.6 m |
91.8 % 997 hPa |
07:54:41 17:58:30 |
|
Oct. 18th 2024 Oct. 18th 2024 | max: 13.7 °C min: 10.9 °C |
79.6 m/s 105.5 m/s |
56.1 % 22.2 m |
81.2 % 987 hPa |
07:57:03 17:55:45 |
|
Oct. 19th 2024 Oct. 19th 2024 | max: 11.3 °C min: 10.7 °C |
43.2 m/s 51.1 m/s |
51.7 % 23.0 m |
79.9 % 993 hPa |
07:59:26 17:53:01 |
|
Oct. 20th 2024 Oct. 20th 2024 | max: 11.7 °C min: 10.4 °C |
47.9 m/s 53.3 m/s |
88.4 % 22.9 m |
81.6 % 1,006 hPa |
08:01:49 17:50:18 |
|
Oct. 21st 2024 Oct. 21st 2024 | max: 13.0 °C min: 11 °C |
58.0 m/s 76.0 m/s |
96.5 % 20.9 m |
80.8 % 1,006 hPa |
08:04:13 17:47:35 |
Would you like to travel to Kirkwall on a cruise ship or would you just like to know when a certain ship will dock there? Here you will find an overview of the cruise ships that will be calling at the port of Kirkwall.
Date | Ship | Arrival | Departure | Details |
---|---|---|---|---|
Oct. 11th 2024 Friday, 11th of Oct. 2024 | AIDAsol | 10:00 am | 08:00 pm | |
Oct. 26th 2024 Saturday, 26th of Oct. 2024 | MS Sirena | 11:00 am | 08:00 pm | |
Apr. 17th 2025 Thursday, 17th of Apr. 2025 | AIDAsol | 08:00 am | 04:00 pm | DetailsPartnerlink |
Apr. 24th 2025 Thursday, 24th of Apr. 2025 | Regal Princess | 07:00 am | 06:00 pm | |
Apr. 30th 2025 Wednesday, 30th of Apr. 2025 | MS Amera | 08:00 am | 06:00 pm | |
May 1st 2025 Thursday, 1st of May 2025 | MS Rotterdam | 10:00 am | 08:00 pm | |
May 3rd 2025 Saturday, 3rd of May 2025 | LE CHAMPLAIN | 01:00 pm | 06:30 pm | |
May 17th 2025 Saturday, 17th of May 2025 | HANSEATIC spirit | 12:00 am | 12:00 am | |
May 17th 2025 Saturday, 17th of May 2025 | Regal Princess | 07:00 am | 06:00 pm | |
May 18th 2025 Sunday, 18th of May 2025 | HANSEATIC spirit | 12:00 am | 12:00 am | |
May 20th 2025 Tuesday, 20th of May 2025 | Norwegian Star | 08:00 am | 04:00 pm | |
May 22nd 2025 Thursday, 22nd of May 2025 | Costa Favolosa | 08:00 am | 08:00 pm | DetailsPartnerlink |
May 24th 2025 Saturday, 24th of May 2025 | MS Amera | 08:00 am | 02:00 pm | |
May 26th 2025 Monday, 26th of May 2025 | MS Vista | 10:00 am | 07:00 pm | |
May 27th 2025 Tuesday, 27th of May 2025 | HANSEATIC spirit | 12:00 am | 12:00 am | |
May 27th 2025 Tuesday, 27th of May 2025 | MSC Preziosa | 09:00 am | 08:00 pm | |
May 28th 2025 Wednesday, 28th of May 2025 | Carnival Miracle | 08:00 am | 05:00 pm | |
May 29th 2025 Thursday, 29th of May 2025 | Regal Princess | 07:00 am | 05:00 pm | |
May 31st 2025 Saturday, 31st of May 2025 | AIDAbella | 08:00 am | 06:00 pm | DetailsPartnerlink |
Jun. 2nd 2025 Monday, 2nd of Jun. 2025 | LE BELLOT | 12:00 pm | 07:00 pm | |
Jun. 3rd 2025 Tuesday, 3rd of Jun. 2025 | LE LAPEROUSE | 07:00 am | 06:30 pm | |
Jun. 3rd 2025 Tuesday, 3rd of Jun. 2025 | Mein Schiff 3 | 08:00 am | 09:00 pm | |
Jun. 4th 2025 Wednesday, 4th of Jun. 2025 | MS Nieuw Statendam | 08:00 am | 06:00 pm | |
Jun. 8th 2025 Sunday, 8th of Jun. 2025 | Costa Favolosa | 12:00 pm | 07:00 pm | DetailsPartnerlink |
Jun. 10th 2025 Tuesday, 10th of Jun. 2025 | P&O Britannia | 07:00 am | 06:00 pm | |
Jun. 10th 2025 Tuesday, 10th of Jun. 2025 | Regal Princess | 07:00 am | 05:00 pm | |
Jun. 11th 2025 Wednesday, 11th of Jun. 2025 | LE LAPEROUSE | 08:00 am | 09:00 pm | |
Jun. 14th 2025 Saturday, 14th of Jun. 2025 | Mein Schiff 3 | 08:00 am | 09:00 pm | |
Jun. 16th 2025 Monday, 16th of Jun. 2025 | AIDAbella | 10:00 am | 08:00 pm | DetailsPartnerlink |
Jun. 18th 2025 Wednesday, 18th of Jun. 2025 | MSC Preziosa | 09:00 am | 08:00 pm | |
Jun. 19th 2025 Thursday, 19th of Jun. 2025 | Silver Spirit | 08:00 am | 07:00 pm | |
Jun. 24th 2025 Tuesday, 24th of Jun. 2025 | LE LAPEROUSE | 12:00 pm | 07:00 pm | |
Jun. 25th 2025 Wednesday, 25th of Jun. 2025 | AIDAsol | 11:00 am | 08:00 pm | DetailsPartnerlink |
Jun. 25th 2025 Wednesday, 25th of Jun. 2025 | Azamara Quest | 08:30 am | 10:00 pm | |
Jun. 30th 2025 Monday, 30th of Jun. 2025 | Seabourn Venture | 08:00 am | 12:00 am | |
Jul. 1st 2025 Tuesday, 1st of Jul. 2025 | Seabourn Venture | 12:00 am | 05:00 am | |
Jul. 8th 2025 Tuesday, 8th of Jul. 2025 | LE BELLOT | 07:00 am | 12:30 pm | |
Jul. 10th 2025 Thursday, 10th of Jul. 2025 | Seabourn Sojourn | 08:00 am | 04:00 pm | |
Jul. 13th 2025 Sunday, 13th of Jul. 2025 | Silver Wind Expedition | 07:00 am | 06:00 pm | |
Jul. 16th 2025 Wednesday, 16th of Jul. 2025 | Regal Princess | 07:00 am | 06:00 pm | |
Jul. 20th 2025 Sunday, 20th of Jul. 2025 | MS Europa | 08:00 am | 06:00 pm | |
Jul. 25th 2025 Friday, 25th of Jul. 2025 | AIDAluna | 08:00 am | 05:00 pm | DetailsPartnerlink |
Jul. 26th 2025 Saturday, 26th of Jul. 2025 | MS Sirena | 08:00 am | 06:00 pm | |
Aug. 2nd 2025 Saturday, 2nd of Aug. 2025 | Seven Seas Mariner | 09:00 am | 07:00 pm | |
Aug. 5th 2025 Tuesday, 5th of Aug. 2025 | MSC Preziosa | 09:00 am | 08:00 pm | |
Aug. 9th 2025 Saturday, 9th of Aug. 2025 | Regal Princess | 07:00 am | 05:00 pm | |
Aug. 12th 2025 Tuesday, 12th of Aug. 2025 | AIDAsol | 09:00 am | 07:00 pm | DetailsPartnerlink |
Aug. 14th 2025 Thursday, 14th of Aug. 2025 | MS Rotterdam | 10:00 am | 08:00 pm | |
Aug. 15th 2025 Friday, 15th of Aug. 2025 | Mein Schiff 3 | 08:00 am | 09:00 pm | |
Aug. 16th 2025 Saturday, 16th of Aug. 2025 | MS Marina | 10:00 am | 07:00 pm |
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