Kirkwall Walking Tour: 1200 Years of Viking History

Walk through twelve centuries of Orkney's Norse and Scottish past in a single afternoon

A guided walking tour of Kirkwall, the Orkney Islands capital, covering three to four hours and twelve centuries of history from Viking times through the medieval period. The route passes Saint Magnus Cathedral, the Bishop's Palace, the Earls' Palace, and the Museum, with entry to both palaces included. A live English-speaking guide leads the walk and bottled water is provided. Saint Magnus Cathedral is wheelchair accessible. The palaces are not.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Kirkwall's historic landmarks

• Visit The Girnel
• See The Inner Outer harbours
• Pass Kirkwall Hotel and The Press Gang
• View The Old Hall and Saint Olaf's Kirk
• Walk The Bridge in town
• Visit The Big Tree site
• Explore The old market Square
• Tour Saint Magnus Cathedral
• See Bishop and Earls Palaces
• Visit the Museum

The experience

The tour covers ground across Kirkwall's old town, moving through sites that mark the shift from Viking rule to Scottish control. You'll see The Girnel, the inner and outer harbours, the Press Gang building, Saint Olaf's Kirk, and the bridge that crosses the town before arriving at the cathedral and palaces. The guide walks you through what each building meant to Orkney's power structure and daily life, from the 12th-century Bishop's Palace (now a ruin with visible stone walls, doorways and arches) to the Renaissance grandeur of the Earls' Palace, built in the early 1600s by Earl Patrick Stewart.

Saint Magnus Cathedral itself is the architectural anchor of the walk: a 12th-century medieval structure that still dominates the skyline. The route ends at the Museum, where the day's narrative finds its context. Bottled water is provided throughout, and entry to both the Bishop's Palace and Earls' Palace is included in the booking. The pace suits all fitness levels, and Saint Magnus Cathedral is wheelchair accessible if you need to step inside. The palaces themselves are not.

What’s included

• A live English-speaking guide.
• bottled water.
• entry to the Bishop's Palace and Earls' Palace.
• wheelchair access to Saint Magnus Cathedral.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to1h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Audio guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 15 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Experience Orkney

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a guided walk that connects the stories across Saint Magnus Cathedral, the Bishop's Palace, and the Earls' Palace in one outing, rather than visiting each separately.

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Top questions

What exactly is Saint Magnus Cathedral and why does it matter to Orkney's history?

Saint Magnus Cathedral is a 12th-century medieval structure built when the islands were still under Norse rule, before Orkney became part of Scotland. It stands as the physical center of Kirkwall and marks the point where religious and political power met in the medieval North Atlantic.

Can I get inside the Bishop's Palace and Earls' Palace on this tour?

Entry to both palaces is included. The Bishop's Palace, built in the 12th century as the residence of Orkney's bishop, survives as ruins with visible stone walls, doorways and arches you can walk through. The Earls' Palace, built in the early 1600s, shows the Renaissance style that replaced the medieval fortress design.

How long is the walk and what kind of pace should I expect?

The tour runs three to four hours and is suitable for all physical fitness levels. It moves through the old town at a walking pace that allows time to stop at each site and hear the history behind it.

Is this tour accessible if I use a wheelchair?

Saint Magnus Cathedral is wheelchair accessible. The Bishop's Palace and Earls' Palace are not, so if wheelchair access is essential to your visit, you would need to skip those two stops or arrange an alternative.

What's included in the tour price?

The guide, bottled water, and entry fees to both the Bishop's Palace and Earls' Palace are included. The tour ends at the Museum but does not include entry there, and meals, snacks and drinks beyond the water provided are not covered.