There’s a great wee free book out produced by the Kirkwall Townscape Heritage Initiative which gets you out looking at Kirkwall.
The booklet provides you with interesting information about key points in the development of the town.
It also shows you how to use the new Kirkwall App and Walking Trails.
The App can be downloaded FREE from Google Play or the App Store.
The interactive maps will help you explore Kirkwall’s fascinating past, from the Viking Age when the Norse Earls ruled Orkney and built St Magnus Cathedral to the Stewart dynasty, when Earl Patrick Stewart built one of Scotland’s finest 17th century renaissance palaces in the heart of the town.
There are 5 walking trails around the town with varying distances.
- Explore Kirkwall: 1.5 to 2 hours – 2.3Km/1.4miles
- Highlights: 45mins to 1 hour – 1.6Km/1mile
- Perspectives of Kirkwall: 1.5 to 2 hours – 3.5Km/2.8miles
And 2 for Peedie Folk aged 8 – 12 years
- Doon-The-Gates : 1hour – 1Km/0.7miles
- UP-The-Gates: 1hour – 1.2Km/0.8miles
Peedie Folk: designed for children (under 12) accompanied by one or more adults, the children’s trails are led by a character called Erlend, created by the children of a local primary school. He guides you around the town telling stories about the history as you go, and highlighting features to look out for on your walk.
Other features of the App
- ‘Check in’ feature : collect a ‘badge’ for each place you visit
- Accessibility settings: change colours/fonts, enlarge text
- Brief welcome in 6 languages
This is a great way to get out and explore Kirkwall – you never know you might find out something you didn’t know. And it’s free. What’s not to like.
And if you don’t like Apps take a look at this:
Looking Up, in Kirkwall Part 1: Victoria Street
Looking Up, in Kirkwall Part 2: Broad Street
Looking Up, in Kirkwall Part 3: Albert Street and Bridge Street
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