SHOUT HOTELS · KIRKWALL

Where to stay in Kirkwall: harbour, historic streets and Orkney days

Kirkwall brings Orkney’s cathedral, museum, shops and harbour into a town that rewards exploring on foot. Stay near the historic streets for meals and sightseeing, then plan transport for the coast, archaeological sites and other islands. The town harbour, Hatston ferry terminal and airport are separate arrival points, so the last part of the journey matters when choosing a place to stay.

Choose your area

Which part of Kirkwall suits your trip?

Compare 4 areas and their trade-offs

Historic streets and town harbour

For the cathedral, museum, shops and harbourfront dining on foot, look around Broad Street, Albert Street and Bridge Street.

The town harbour is separate from Hatston ferry terminal. A central stay still needs planned transport for rural Mainland outings.

Main Street and the southern town approach

Main Street keeps a stay within the town while the roads beyond lead towards Scapa, Holm Road and St Ola. West End Guest House is at 14 Main Street.

The wider southern fringe is not one formal neighbourhood. Check the actual address and access: West End has no lift and does not serve breakfast.

West End Guest House guide

Hatston: ferry arrival context

Useful to understand when arriving on NorthLink’s Aberdeen or Lerwick sailings, with an X10 bus or arranged onward transfer.

This is an outskirts terminal and industrial area, not the historic harbourfront or a recommended central visitor quarter. No accommodation collection member is listed here.

Stromness and rural Mainland alternatives

Compare Stromness for the Scrabster ferry and the west side of Mainland, or rural stays for countryside and coastal outings.

These are alternatives outside Kirkwall, not town neighbourhoods. A car is more useful away from main bus routes; no separate Shout Hotels guide is implied.

The accommodation collection

Compare places to stay in Kirkwall

1 property guide

Compare the places covered by our independent guides. This is our current coverage, rather than a complete list of accommodation in Kirkwall. Check the room, rate and current terms before booking.

Main Street · central Kirkwall

West End Guest House

Private en-suite single, twin and double rooms, plus a four-person Family Suite. Self-check-in and free rear parking via Manse Lane.

Before booking Room-only; no breakfast or luggage storage. Three floors without a lift; confirm your room’s stair route and arrival instructions.

Read the property guide

The destination guide

When to visit Kirkwall

Long summer daylight gives more time for walks and outings, while autumn and winter bring shorter days and more weather-dependent plans. Orkney’s climate is cool and maritime, including in summer. Historical Met Office averages describe a seasonal pattern, not the weather for an individual trip; bring layers and check the forecast before heading out.

Indoor visits remain useful in the colder months, but seasonal opening makes a difference. The Bishop’s and Earl’s Palaces are published as open from April to September and closed from October to March. The cathedral, museum and distillery have their own visiting arrangements, and services, conservation work or special events can affect access. Use the operator links below before setting an itinerary.

For 2027, organisers have announced the Orkney Folk Festival for 27–30 May and the St Magnus International Festival for 18–25 June. The Folk Festival is primarily associated with Stromness, while St Magnus uses venues across Orkney. The St Magnus programme was due in spring 2027 when this guide was researched; check the actual programme and venue before choosing accommodation for a performance.

The Ba’ is a recurring Kirkwall street-football tradition on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. A description of the tradition is not a confirmed future timetable or road-closure plan. Check local arrangements close to the date, and allow for changed access through the centre.

Best areas to stay in Kirkwall

Kirkwall is Orkney’s capital, on Mainland Orkney. Around Broad Street, Albert Street, Bridge Street and the harbourfront, the cathedral, museum, independent shops and places to eat are close together. This is a useful choice for a short stay or a visit without a car, while trips farther across Orkney still need planning.

Main Street continues through the southern part of the centre. West End Guest House is at 14 Main Street, convenient for a town-focused stay. The wider southern fringe leads towards Scapa Road, Holm Road and St Ola; these are useful location descriptions rather than one formal visitor neighbourhood. Compare the actual address and walking route before choosing.

Hatston is an arrival point on the outskirts, with a ferry terminal and industrial estate. It is separate from the historic harbourfront: NorthLink’s Aberdeen and Lerwick sailings call here, and an onward bus, taxi or arranged transfer is part of a central Kirkwall stay. A ferry-terminal address should not be mistaken for a room beside the town’s shops and cathedral.

Compare Stromness if the Scrabster ferry, the west side of Mainland or a harbour-town setting is central to the trip. Rural West and East Mainland accommodation can put countryside and coastal outings closer, but a car is more useful away from main bus routes. Stromness and rural Mainland are alternatives outside Kirkwall, not neighbourhoods within it.

Getting to Kirkwall and around

Kirkwall Airport is east of the town and is separate from both ferry departure points. Loganair publishes flights to Kirkwall; routes and operating dates vary. The council’s airport bus is Service 4/4D between the airport and Kirkwall Travel Centre. Check the current journey for the flight you intend to use, allowing for luggage and the final walk or transfer.

The Winter 2026/27 bus guide includes a limited-capacity community service on some 4D journeys during school term. Do not assume every departure uses the same vehicle or offers guaranteed space. The council’s original timetable and current service notices are linked in Visitor information.

NorthLink’s Aberdeen–Lerwick route calls at Hatston on selected sailings. Hatston is on the outskirts, about two miles from the town harbour. The X10 ferry-link bus connects the terminal with central Kirkwall and Stromness; check the sailing and onward service together. Prebook a taxi if that is the connection you need, and agree a late arrival with your accommodation.

The Scrabster ferry arrives at Stromness, while Pentland Ferries sails from Gills Bay to St Margaret’s Hope. These are separate Orkney gateways, each requiring an onward journey to Kirkwall. The X1 links Stromness, Kirkwall and St Margaret’s Hope; use the current ferry and bus timetables rather than assuming a connection from the route names alone.

Inter-island ferries from Kirkwall’s town pier serve several North Isles. Other island departures use different ports, so check the actual island, pier and sailing. Orkney Ferries publishes seasonal timetables, and vehicle space should be booked rather than assumed. Weather and service changes can affect an outing and the return journey.

The historic centre is compact enough to explore on foot, with Kirkwall Travel Centre providing Mainland bus connections. A car is more useful for rural archaeological and coastal visits away from bus routes. Drivers can compare council pay-and-display and free long-stay car parks; public parking and accommodation parking have separate terms, and a space is not guaranteed.

Things to do around Kirkwall

St Magnus Cathedral gives the centre its red-and-yellow sandstone landmark. Founded in 1137, it remains a place of worship as well as a visitor attraction. Ordinary visits are currently free, with separate arrangements for guided tours; check opening and allow for services, weddings or funerals.

The Orkney Museum in Tankerness House, beside the cathedral, follows the islands’ history from prehistory onwards. It is a useful first stop before trips to archaeological sites elsewhere in Orkney. Admission is currently free. The museum publishes an entrance from the gardens and stair-lift information; check the facilities relevant to your visit rather than assuming every historic room has the same access.

The Bishop’s and Earl’s Palaces sit beside the cathedral and can be combined with a town-centre visit in their April–September season. The upper level of the Moosie Tower is currently closed. Check the operator’s opening and access information before going, especially if a particular part of the ruins matters to you.

Highland Park’s distillery and visitor centre are on Holm Road. A booked tour or tasting adds a different perspective on Kirkwall’s working heritage. Check the experience, age requirements and visiting days with the distillery; plan the return journey if drinking.

For an outdoor change of pace, the Crantit Trail links Kirkwall with Scapa Beach, beyond the urban centre. The shore and onward coast offer room for a walk, with the route chosen around weather, daylight and ground conditions. Take care near cliff edges; this is separate from a stroll around the town harbour.

Grain Earth House is an Iron Age underground structure in Hatston Industrial Estate. The destination listing describes key and torch collection from Judith Glue on Broad Street. Confirm those arrangements before setting off; it is a small heritage visit outside the historic street core, with its own access constraints.

A simple first walk can begin at the harbour and follow the main shopping streets towards the cathedral and museum. Leave time for independent shops and cafés along the way. Wider Mainland archaeology and other islands are separate outings, rather than sights within central Kirkwall.

Boats and stone-fronted buildings around Kirkwall Harbour, photographed in August 2014. — “Kirkwall Harbour” by Stevekeiretsu, Wikimedia Commons, 8 August 2014. CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized and converted to WebP; this adapted image is also licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Creator · Source photograph · CC BY-SA 4.0

Food and drink in Kirkwall

The historic streets and harbourfront offer several independent places to eat, making a central stay practical for evenings out. Opening days, meal service and winter arrangements vary. Check food-service times separately from a bar’s closing time, particularly after a late ferry, and discuss allergens or dietary needs with the venue.

The Storehouse Restaurant with Rooms, in Bridge Street Wynd, focuses on Orkney produce. Twenty One on Albert Street offers a small-plates and cocktail setting, with menus that can change through the seasons. Check current menus, opening days and booking arrangements for either restaurant.

Helgi’s is a harbourfront pub and restaurant at 14 Harbour Street. Its published listing states that it is strictly for over-18s, so families with children should choose somewhere else. Food-service windows are narrower than general opening hours; check the current listing before relying on a particular meal.

Lynnfield Hotel Restaurant is on Holm Road, outside the tight historic-centre dining cluster. It is another option when staying on the southern side of town or planning a distillery visit. Its own restaurant information covers lunch and dinner arrangements and dietary enquiries; check the actual service for your day.

Accommodation meals are a separate question from nearby restaurants. West End Guest House offers room-only stays without breakfast, so guests should plan their first meal as well as dinner. Nearby dining does not establish that a guest house has its own restaurant or can provide food after a late arrival.

Frequently asked questions about Kirkwall

Can I enjoy Kirkwall without hiring a car?

Yes, for the town itself: the cathedral, museum, shops, harbour and many restaurants are close together. Airport and Mainland buses make some trips possible without driving, but rural sights away from the main routes need a planned bus journey, tour or other transport. Choose the actual outings before deciding whether to hire a car.

Is the NorthLink ferry terminal beside Kirkwall’s town harbour?

No. NorthLink uses Hatston, on the outskirts, about two miles from the town harbour. Check the X10 ferry-link service or arrange a taxi for the onward journey. The town pier used for inter-island ferries is a different departure point.

How do I get from Kirkwall Airport into town?

The council’s Service 4/4D connects Kirkwall Airport and Kirkwall Travel Centre. Check the current timetable against your flight and note that some 4D journeys have limited minibus capacity. Allow for the final journey from the Travel Centre to your accommodation.

Would Kirkwall or Stromness suit my trip better?

Kirkwall is useful for the cathedral, museum, shopping, airport connections and North Isles ferry departures. Stromness is worth comparing for the Scrabster ferry, the west side of Mainland and the Orkney Folk Festival. Decide around the places and journeys that matter to you; neither town puts all of Orkney within walking distance.

Can I visit the main historic sights in winter?

The cathedral and Orkney Museum publish winter visiting arrangements, with their own opening days and closures. The Bishop’s and Earl’s Palaces are published as closed from October to March. Check operator notices before travelling and keep an alternative for a weather-affected day.

Can I take a day trip to another island from Kirkwall?

Several North Isles routes depart from Kirkwall with Orkney Ferries. Check both the outward and return sailing, the correct pier and the season’s timetable. Book vehicle space if taking a car, and allow for changes caused by weather or service disruption.

Where can families eat in Kirkwall?

Compare current restaurant menus and ask venues about children, dietary needs and the meal you want. Helgi’s explicitly states that it is strictly over-18s, so it is not a family option when travelling with children. A venue appearing in a town guide does not guarantee its suitability for every party.

When are the 2027 festivals?

The organisers have announced 27–30 May 2027 for the Orkney Folk Festival and 18–25 June 2027 for the St Magnus International Festival. Check the programme and individual venue: the Folk Festival is primarily associated with Stromness, and St Magnus events take place across Orkney.

Does West End Guest House serve breakfast?

No. Its room-only stays do not include breakfast. The Main Street location gives access to central Kirkwall, but check nearby café opening days for the morning you need rather than assume breakfast is available at the property.

Visitor information

Researched and reviewed by Shout Hotels. Information reviewed 2026-10-29. An independent travel guide.