Orkney Walking Tours: Discover Kirkwall on Foot
- Upto 4 Hours
- 340 Per Group of 4
Step into Scotland’s past with Orkney walking tours and explore the historic heart of Kirkwall at a relaxed pace. The cobbled streets are lined with centuries-old buildings, from the grandeur of St Magnus Cathedral to the quiet ruins of the Bishop’s and Earl’s Palaces, where Norse and Scottish heritage meet. With local guides as your storytellers, you’ll trace centuries through Kirkwall’s roads, ruins and cafes.
Discover Kirkwall Through Orkney Walking Tours
Walking in Orkney’s capital under our wing, you’ll see Kirkwall’s most remarkable sites: the soaring St Magnus Cathedral, the weathered walls of the Earl’s and Bishop’s Palaces, and the Orkney Museum, where thousands of years of island life are preserved under one roof. As you stroll, your guide explains how the Bishop built for piety, the Earl built for power, and neither quite expected their walls to crumble so beautifully.
Sites You’ll Explore on Our Kirkwall Walking Tour
Some of Kirkwall’s stories are whispered by saints, others commanded by earls, and our guides know them all.
- St Magnus Cathedral: Known as the Light in the North, this 12th-century Viking-founded cathedral glows with red sandstone and legend. Built by Earl Rognvald to honour his martyred uncle, it still stands at the heart of island life, a place of faith, stillness, and echoes that belong to everyone in Orkney.
- Bishop’s Palace: Once home to bishops who preached humility but lived within impressive walls, this medieval stronghold was where Norway’s King Haakon IV drew his last breath in 1263. Its stones remember the moment Orkney’s Norse world turned Scottish.
- Earl’s Palace: A Renaissance masterpiece built by Earl Patrick Stewart, a man loved by architects and loathed by taxpayers. Its carved windows and crumbling turrets still flaunt the ambition of an earl who wanted to outshine the bishop next door.
- Orkney Museum: Housed in the old Tankerness House, once the Baikie family home, it’s filled with artefacts spanning 5,000 years; from Viking boat burials to Bronze Age tools and Pictish carvings. Even the house itself is a relic of shifting faiths and fortunes.
- Kirkwall Town Centre: Beyond the landmarks, the town hums with everyday island life: stone-built shops, local chatter, and the smell of fresh beremeal bread from nearby bakeries. Ask your guide where to find the best Orkney cheese or whisky; they’ll know the shopkeeper personally.
Here, every step through Kirkwall reveals how faith, trade, and ambition built the Orkney we know today: no hiking boots required.
Tour Details & Practical Information
Our Orkney walking trips are designed for comfort, culture, and curiosity: a guided walk through history rather than a hike.
- Duration: Up to 4 hours
- Group Size: Up to 4 people (larger groups available upon request)
- Price: £340 per group of 4
- Includes: Entry fees to the Earl’s and Bishop’s Palaces
- Pick-up & Drop-off: Available at cruise and ferry terminals for easy access
- Accessibility: Relaxed pace suitable for all fitness levels: this is a cultural stroll, not a climb
- Booking: Fast online booking, secure payment, and instant confirmation
You’ll find breathtaking Orkney walking trails across the islands, yet none bring you closer to the thriving local life than Kirkwall’s lanes.
Tour Gallery
Extend Your Orkney Experience
Your adventure doesn’t have to stop at Kirkwall’s cobbled lanes. Add our guided walks to your Orkney walking holidays for the perfect blend of culture, archaeology, and coastal beauty. Ready to explore more? Discover the rest of the islands with our other available guided Orkney tours.
After exploring the city’s cathedrals and courtyards, step further into history with the Ring of Brodgar & Skara Brae tour: where you’ll walk among ancient stone circles and Neolithic homes older than the pyramids.
For those drawn to wilder horizons, our Island of Hoy War History Tour journeys through dramatic cliffs, wartime relics, and the towering Old Man of Hoy.
Book your tour today and walk the same paths as bishops, earls, and fishermen who shaped Orkney’s past.
Explore More with Orkney Walking Tours
Our Orkney walking tours offer the most convenient way to explore Kirkwall’s history and culture. In just four hours, you’ll visit the city’s most important landmarks: St Magnus Cathedral, the Bishop’s and Earl’s Palaces, and the Orkney Museum, all within walking distance.
Led by a certified local guide, the tour combines expert storytelling with easy access, ideal for cruise passengers, first-time visitors, and anyone who wants to experience Orkney’s heritage up close.