Kirkwall, Orkney

Flower Delivery Kirkwall, Orkney with Clare Florist

Standing at the dividing point between the East and West Mainland is the Royal Burgh of Kirkwall, the largest town and capital of the amazing Orkney archipelago located some 10 miles from Scotland’s north coast. Unlike most capital cities and towns, however, Kirkwall is quite a contrast. It is a small, quiet town with a gentle pace of life—though it may seem like a buzzling metropolitan centre if you arrive came more remote places.

The town was founded by Earl Rognvald Brusason in 1035 and quickly became Orkney’s administrative centre. It is the arrival point for cruise ships, flights from the UK and ferries from Aberdeen and Shetland. It boasts of many historical buildings and houses, including the 11th-century St Magnus Cathedral, the Bishop’s Palace and the Earl’s Palace.

ATTRACTIONS

The Bishop’s Palace

This, together with the Earl’s Palace, is considered one of the finest examples of Scottish architecture highlighting Orkney’s strong Norse and ecclesiastical influences. The palace was built around the same time as St Magnus Cathedral boasting a bewildering peace of art, which alternating red and yellow stone windows clearly mirrored that in the cathedral.

One momentous event in history that happened here is the death of King Hakon IV of Norway, the last Norwegian king to rule over the southern isles of Sudreyjar.

The Earl’s Palace

This palace was built around 1606 by the tyrannical Earl of Orkney, Patrick (also known as ‘Black Patie’), who ruled the Northern isles with iron fist. The residence is a perfect example of extraordinary refinement with almost all details of the building masterfully planned.

From the outside, your eyes will be drawn to its beautiful frontal façade, while inside you will yourself overwhelmed by its great hall, especially with its five-metre-wide fireplace. There are also beautiful gardens featuring some of the best flowers in Kirkwall.

Orkney Wireless Museum

Founded in April 1983 by the late electrical collector Jim MacDonald, the museum represents Orkney’s history with its local collection spanning from the development of wireless technology since the start of the twentieth century up to the present.

The exhibitions show how radio and wireless technology became a major industry, from the earliest days, through World War II and until today—featuring a range of items, including crystal sets, spy suitcase radio and vintage Stylophone.

The museum is quite interactive in such a way that it allows children to play tennis on the early computer as well give certificates for those who can successfully type their name on the Morse key.

The Orkey Museum

Ever wondered what life was like in the archipelago during the early days? The Orkney Museum will take you to a journey back in time to the Stone Age and through the days of Picts and Vikings.

The museum features a collection of old photographs and activities (which children especially love), as well as a Baikie Library and Drawing Room which show how the current building was like when it was still a family home before it was converted into a museum.

EVENTS

Orkney International Science Festival

This year’s event feature some interesting presentations including Knitting Wild And Mathematical wherein Dr Julia Collins explained plants’ mathematical patterns through knitting, and The Ice Grey River And The Fire In The Night with organist George McPhee and the Mayfield Singers playing old Norwegian and Icelandic music as well Dave Grieve and Ragnhild Ljosland reading the dramatic 13th-century Njals saga.

Orkney MasterChef

This October, watch three local professional chefs pit against one another in a fun cooking competition. If it’s your lucky day, you might just be one of the fortunate spectators selected to sample and judge the dishes.

There are no gardening related events so far, but if you are looking for Kirkwall flowers, or want to send flowers to Kirkwall, there are online shops (and also local ones) that can cater to your needs.

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