Kirkwall

This article is about the town in Orkney, Scotland. For the fictional city from the Dragon Age series, see Dragon Age II § Setting. For the former Burgh, see Kirkwall (Burgh). For the pre-1707 constituency, see Kirkwall (Parliament of Scotland constituency).

Kirkwall Scots: Kirkwa / Kirkwaa / Kirkwal
Town
Kirkwall Harbour in August 2014
Kirkwall Location within Orkney
Area	4.00 km2 (1.54 sq mi)
Population	10,020 (2025)
• Density	2,505/km2 (6,490/sq mi)
Demonym	Kirkwallian
OS grid reference	HY449109
• Edinburgh	210 mi (340 km)
• London	528 mi (850 km)
Council area	Orkney
Lieutenancy area	Orkney
Country	Scotland
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	KIRKWALL
Postcode district	KW15
Dialling code	01856
Police	Scotland
Fire	Scottish
Ambulance	Scottish
UK Parliament	Orkney and Shetland
Scottish Parliament	Orkney

Kirkwall (Scots: Kirkwa, Kirkwaa, or Kirkwal; Norn: Kirkavå; Scottish Gaelic: Bàgh na h-Eaglaise) is a port town and historic royal burgh in Orkney, an archipelago to the north of mainland Scotland. It is approximately 210 miles (340 km) north of Edinburgh, 221 miles (356 km) north-northeast of Glasgow, and 124 miles (200 km) north-northwest of Aberdeen. It had a population of 9,293 in 2011, making it the largest town in Orkney.

First mentioned in the Orkneyinga saga, it is today the location of the headquarters of the Orkney Islands Council and a transport hub with ferries to many locations. It is the centre of the St Magnus International Festival and is also a popular stopping off point for cruise ships. St Magnus Cathedral stands at the heart of the town.