Making the most of Kirkwall Orkney Islands Scotland
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Hatston Terminal can berth ships with an LOA of 225m and a draught of 10m alongside. Kirkwall Town harbour has an alongside berth for vessels up to 125m LOA, with no beam restriction and a 5m draught. Larger ships anchor in Kirkwall Bay and tender passengers close to town. Orkney Islands Council provides a complimentary shuttle between Hatston Pier and Kirkwall Travel Center.
Hatston terminal is approximately 2-3 miles from central Kirkwall.
Kirkwall lies 16 miles from Stromness, 7 miles from Finstown and 15 miles from St. Margaret’s Hope.
Bring the printable map for your visit.
The port's cruise calendar shows which berth will be used.
Although the Orkney Islands are politically part of Britain, in many respects they feel distinct. Place names often sound non-English, reflecting Viking settlement during the 9th century, and Norse crafts and customs remain visible. Prehistoric remains complement that heritage, including Stenness Standing Stones at Finstown. Norway and Denmark governed the islands until 1468, when a Norwegian king gave them to Scotland instead of a dowry for his daughter's marriage to King James III. The Orkney archipelago lies at the same latitude as southern Greenland...
Getting around
Stagecoach in Orkney is the principal bus company in and around Kirkwall. Every route centres on the Travel Center in West Castle Street, just off Broad Street, which also houses the tourist information centre. Services cover most parts of the mainland and run to the main historic attractions during summer.
Nearby places
A visit to Orkney should include some of the smaller islands around the Mainland of Orkney. Each has an individual identity and character, together with its own history, wildlife and attractions.
Food and shopping
Albert Street, the principal shopping street in the town centre, has a selection of small shops. Knitwear, local arts and crafts, and jewellery may be particularly appealing.
Money
The UK uses the pound (£), also known informally as a quid. Scottish banknotes are sometimes frowned upon elsewhere in the UK, so exchange them before leaving Scotland.
Cash machines, also called ATMs or informally 'holes in the wall', are widely available and normally issue £10 and £20 notes.
Most restaurants and shops accept Visa, Mastercard and Maestro.
Staying connected
English is used throughout the country, sometimes with a strong accent.
Most cafés and restaurants provide free WiFi.
For emergencies, call the local number 999 or the EU-wide number 112.
Opening Hours and
General shopping hours are:
Small shops trade 6 or 7 days a week, usually 10am - 6pm. Larger shops often stay open until 9PM, and hypermarkets may operate 24/7.