Kirkwall, Orkney, Scotland
Capital of the Orkney Islands and keeper of 5,000 years of history — from Neolithic stone circles older than the Pyramids to a Viking cathedral built in Norse red sandstone. This is Scotland like nowhere else in Scotland.
Capital of the Orkney Islands and keeper of 5,000 years of history — from Neolithic stone circles older than the Pyramids to a Viking cathedral built in Norse red sandstone. This is Scotland like nowhere else in Scotland.
Most ships berth at Hatston Pier — a free shuttle runs to the town center. Small expedition ships may dock in the harbor or tender directly.
💡 Pro move: Orkney taxi and rental car stock runs out fast when ships are in port. Book transport before you arrive if you're heading out of town independently.
Hatston Pier handles ~95% of cruise calls; a free shuttle connects it to the town center in minutes.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Most cruise lines (medium/large ships) | Hatston Pier, 2 miles NW of town📍 | Docked |
| Small luxury & expedition ships | Kirkwall Harbour (town center)📍 | Docked |
| Overflow/anchored vessels | Kirkwall Bay — tender to town pier📍 | Tendered |
Orkney punches far above its weight — one small island holds more UNESCO-listed prehistoric monuments per square mile than almost anywhere on earth.
The UNESCO World Heritage package: Skara Brae (5,000-year-old village preserved in sand), Maeshowe (Viking-inscribed Neolithic tomb), the Ring of Brodgar, and the Stones of Stenness. You won't see anything like this outside of Egypt.
Find Neolithic Orkney tours →The 12th-century Romanesque cathedral built by a Viking earl from striking red and yellow sandstone — admission is free. Combine it with the ruined Bishop's and Earl's Palaces next door and a wander through the narrow Peedie Wynds.
Find Kirkwall walking tours →The world's most northerly Scotch whisky distillery, making complex peaty-floral single malts since 1798. Tours cover traditional floor malting and the Viking-named barrels. Book ahead — it sells out on port days.
Find Highland Park tours →Scapa Flow — the great wartime anchorage where the German fleet scuttled itself in 1919 — is ringed by Churchill Barriers built by WWII Italian POWs, who also created the impossibly beautiful Italian Chapel from two Nissen huts and scrap metal.
Find Scapa Flow tours →Scapa Beach — a sweeping sandy bay overlooking Scapa Flow — is about 1.5 miles south of town, reachable by the scenic Crantit Trail coastal path. The water is cold but the views across the flow are extraordinary.
Find Orkney walking tours →The town center is compact and very walkable; the real Orkney treasures require a bus or taxi.
From the shuttle drop at Kirkwall Travel Centre, walk down Broad Street to St Magnus Cathedral and the adjacent Bishop's and Earl's Palaces. Continue into the Peedie Wynds, browse Albert Street for Orkney fudge and crafts, then loop back past the harbor.
A straightforward walk from the cathedral south along Holm Road to Highland Park Distillery at the edge of town. Book your tour in advance; the route passes through quiet residential streets typical of Kirkwall.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Climate normals for Kirkwall, Orkney, Scotland (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 44°F / 7°C | 39°F / 4°C | 20 | 8:52 AM | 3:51 PM |
| Feb | 44°F / 7°C | 39°F / 4°C | 18 | 7:46 AM | 5:06 PM |
| Mar | 45°F / 7°C | 40°F / 4°C | 17 | 6:28 AM | 6:14 PM |
| Apr | 47°F / 8°C | 41°F / 5°C | 12 | 5:58 AM | 8:26 PM |
| May | 52°F / 11°C | 45°F / 7°C | 15 | 4:41 AM | 9:36 PM |
| Jun | 56°F / 13°C | 50°F / 10°C | 14 | 3:59 AM | 10:25 PM |
| Jul | 59°F / 15°C | 52°F / 11°C | 18 | 4:25 AM | 10:09 PM |
| Aug | 59°F / 15°C | 53°F / 12°C | 17 | 5:31 AM | 8:59 PM |
| Sep | 57°F / 14°C | 52°F / 11°C | 18 | 6:41 AM | 7:31 PM |
| Oct | 53°F / 12°C | 48°F / 9°C | 20 | 7:49 AM | 6:04 PM |
| Nov | 49°F / 9°C | 44°F / 7°C | 19 | 8:04 AM | 3:47 PM |
| Dec | 46°F / 8°C | 41°F / 5°C | 20 | 9:00 AM | 3:13 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
Operates cruise season only (Apr–Sep) on cruise call days. All-day pass covers T11 route (Ring of Brodgar, Stromness) plus all regular Stagecoach Orkney buses.
Most ships run a shuttle between Hatston Pier and Kirkwall Travel Centre (~2 miles, 5–10 min). Confirm cost and schedule with your ship — some lines charge a day pass fee, others are complimentary.
Limited taxis available; pre-booking is essential on busy multi-ship days. Private island tours run ~£50–60/hr. Try Orkney Cabs or Craigies Taxis.
Several local hire companies operate near Kirkwall town center. Best option for reaching remote sites like Skara Brae or the Churchill Barriers at your own pace.
Kirkwall town center is compact and walkable once you arrive. The 2-mile walk from Hatston Pier passes through an industrial area on a busy road — not recommended.
Upcoming cruises that call at Kirkwall, Orkney, Scotland. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.