St Magnus Cathedral & Earl's Palace Walking Tour
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Port
Kirkwall, Scotland, United Kingdom
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Activity Level
Moderate
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$39.95
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 3 Hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
Explore Kirkwall on a guided walk through town to St Magnus Cathedral and the ruins of the Earl's Palace and the Bishop's Palace.
Transfer by coach to Kirkwall's waterfront to discover the historic Old Town. This area, once known as the Ramparts, protected Kirkwall from seaborne attack. Bridge and Albert Streets -- ancient roads dating back a thousand years, are now Kirkwall's main shopping streets.
Step inside St Magnus Cathedral -- a jaw-dropping experience when you consider that this extraordinary church, built by the Norse in 1137, remains one of the best-preserved cathedrals in Scotland. Its various styles are Romanesque, Transitional and Gothic.
Mercat Cross, dating from 1621, is where people swore on the cross to seal verbal contracts. It was also the site of public announcements and, disturbingly, was also used as a pillory.
See the ruins of the Earl's Palace (1600) built by Patrick Stewart, the Earl of Orkney. It is the finest example of French Renaissance architecture in Scotland, but its owner was immensely unpopular. The ruins of the 12th-century Bishop's Palace feature a hall and a tower house.
Visit Tankerness House if you wish (at your own expense) to see its museum exhibits on Orkney life, and enjoy the surrounding gardens, returning to the ship at your leisure by shuttle bus.
Notes:
Wear sturdy non-skid walking shoes. Terrain includes mostly flat paved services, steps and cobblestones. Dress warmly in layers with a wind- and waterproof outer layer. Cell phones must be switched off in the cathedral.