Kirkwall

Kirkwall is the largest town in the Orkney Islands, with a population of around 10.000. The town is now a transport hub with ferries to places in the north of the Orkney Islands. It is also a popular stopover for cruise ships.

Kirkwall was first mentioned in the Orkneyinga Saga in 1046, when it was recorded as the residence of Rögnvald Brusason, Earl of Orkney, who was killed by his uncle Thorfinn Sigurdsson (aka Thorfinn the Mighty) on the island of Stronsay.

It was not until 1468 that Kirkwall became Scottish, when James III of Scotland acquired the Orkneys. Kirkwall was granted royal burgh status, and over time the town sent a burgh commissioner to the Scottish Parliament.