Kirkwall, Administrative center in Orkney Islands, United Kingdom
Kirkwall is a harbor town on the main island of the Orkneys in Scotland, where narrow stone streets run from the water up to the cathedral. Two-story houses of gray stone line the main lanes, while small shops and cafés open along the pedestrian ways.
Norwegian settlers founded this place in the 11th century as a trading post on their route between Scandinavia and Iceland. King James III of Scotland granted the place royal burgh status in 1486, after the Orkneys passed to the Scottish crown.
The name comes from Old Norse and means church bay, a reminder of the Norwegian settlement period. Fishermen and traders still use the harbor for their work, while local residents live in the older lanes.
Several ferries connect the town daily with the Scottish mainland, while a small airport offers flights to various British cities. The walk from the harbor to the cathedral takes about ten minutes, and most shops lie in between on this route.
An ancient underground structure called Grain Earth House lies on the western edge of town and leads through a low passage into a round chamber from prehistoric times. Visitors must crouch to reach the entrance, but the chamber itself is tall enough to stand in.
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