Getting to Town

2.5 mi / 4 km

Distance to Town

Best Time to Visit

Late May through early September offers the best combination of milder temperatures, longer daylight hours, and calmer seas for visiting Kirkwall and touring the Orkney Islands.

Weather is highly changeable year-round; expect wind, drizzle, and cool temperatures even in summer.

Winter and shoulder seasons can bring strong winds, rough seas, and occasional disruption to small-boat tours and tenders.

Even on sunny days, it can feel cold and exposed at coastal and Neolithic sites due to wind chill.

Top Shore Experiences

✓Visit Skara Brae’s prehistoric village and interactive visitor centre, which brings Neolithic life to a kid-friendly scale.
✓Tour the Orkney Museum and St Magnus Cathedral, which are compact, inexpensive, and easy to combine with a town walk.
✓Enjoy a gentle coastal stop at places like the Brough of Birsay (tide and mobility permitting) or wide beaches for rock-pooling and sea views.
✓Browse local food shops such as The Brig Larder and bakeries for Orcadian cheeses, sweets, and picnic supplies.
✓Ride the complimentary shuttle (from Hatston) into Kirkwall and simply wander the traffic-calmed town centre with prams or older relatives.

Local Food & Drink

Local single malt whiskies from Highland Park and Scapa distilleries, both associated with Kirkwall.
Orkney cheese, ice cream, and other dairy products, often sold in town delis and supermarkets.
Fresh seafood including scallops, crab, salmon, and locally smoked fish served in pubs, hotels, and cafes.
Orkney lamb and beef dishes showcasing the islands’ strong farming traditions.
Artisanal products and picnic items from specialty shops such as The Brig Larder and other independent food stores around Albert Street and Bridge Street.
Locally brewed ales and craft beers from Orkney breweries, available in many pubs.

Shopping Tips

Look for locally made crafts such as knitwear, woollens, jewellery, and ceramics in Kirkwall’s independent boutiques along Albert Street, Broad Street, and nearby lanes.
Orkney food products (cheeses, oatcakes, preserves, whisky, gin, and beers) make excellent gifts and are widely available in delis and larger shops.
Many stores are small and locally owned, with typical hours from late morning to early evening; Sunday opening may be more limited than in big cities.
For whisky purchases, compare prices and shipping options at distillery shops versus town retailers, especially when considering duty-free allowances.

Agent insights

Clarify in advance whether the ship is using Hatston Pier or Kirkwall Pier/tenders, as this impacts transfer time and independent planning. Encourage clients to prebook either a structured tour or rental car if they want to see marquee sites like Skara Brae and the Ring of Brodgar, since public buses are not designed around cruise schedules and same-day availability can be limited.