Kirkwall Cruise Port Guide: Things to Do, Walkability & Local Tips

Quick Take

Port Type

Historic Small Port

Best For

History lovers, whisky fans, independent walkers, and anyone drawn to prehistoric Scotland

Avoid If

You need a beach day, nightlife, or a wide range of shore excursion options

Walkability

Excellent for the town centre — cathedral, shops, and museum are all within 10 minutes on foot from the pier

Budget Fit

Very good — the cathedral and old town are free; the main costs are Skara Brae entry and distillery tours

Good For Short Calls?

Perfect for town-only exploration; a full day needed if you want Skara Brae or the Ring of Brodgar

Port Overview

Ships dock at the Hatston Pier in Kirkwall, about 1.5 miles northwest of the town centre. It is a working pier — functional, no terminal frills — and a shuttle bus or a brisk 25-30 minute walk brings you into town. The pier area itself has nothing to detain you, so move directly toward the town.

Kirkwall is the capital of Orkney, a Scottish archipelago with a disproportionately rich history. The town is small — around 9,000 people — but dense with character. The streets around Albert Street and Broad Street are genuinely old and pleasantly unmanicured by tourist standards. You won't find chain restaurants on every corner or aggressive souvenir pitching.

The two headline attractions you can reach on foot are St Magnus Cathedral and the Highland Park Distillery. The genuinely unmissable prehistoric sites — Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar, Maeshowe chambered cairn — are 10-20 miles away and require transport. If your ship offers excursions to these, they are among the best-value shore excursions you will find anywhere in Northern Europe. UNESCO World Heritage status is not overblown here.

Kirkwall is a confident half-day on foot or a very satisfying full day if you get out to the West Mainland. Most cruisers find it well worth the time ashore.

Is It Safe?

Kirkwall is a safe, low-crime town. Petty theft and scams are not meaningful concerns here. Weather is the only real hazard: Orkney is exposed, wind is constant, and temperatures can feel significantly colder than the thermometer suggests. Even in summer, pack a windproof and waterproof layer regardless of how the morning starts.

The walk from Hatston Pier follows a road without a dedicated footpath for part of its length — use common sense and stay well to the side. There are no personal safety concerns in the town centre at any point during a port day.

Accessibility & Walkability

The town centre is largely flat and walkable, with paved surfaces on the main shopping streets. St Magnus Cathedral has some uneven stone floors internally but the exterior and nave are accessible. The Orkney Museum is on a manageable single level for the most part.

The pier-to-town walk along the coast road is flat but long and may not be suitable for mobility-limited visitors — the shuttle bus is the practical alternative. Skara Brae involves uneven ground and outdoor pathways; wheelchair access is partial. Check accessibility details directly with sites if this matters to your group.

Outside the Terminal

Hatston Pier is a working commercial dock — you will see industrial equipment, possibly fishing vessels, and a large flat car park. It looks unpromising. Don't judge Kirkwall by it. The shuttle drop-off near the town puts you immediately in front of the harbour and within sight of the cathedral tower. Within two minutes of arriving in town you are on Albert Street, which is the kind of narrow, stone-fronted main street that actually delivers on the 'historic' promise.

Local Food & Drink

Kirkwall's food scene is modest but honest. The Judith Glue Real Food Café near the cathedral is a reliable choice for soups, sandwiches, and local seafood — popular with visitors but not a tourist trap. The St Magnus Café and several bakeries on Albert Street offer quick, filling, and reasonably priced lunches. The Bothy Bar is a decent pub option if you want a proper sit-down meal with Orkney ale.

For local produce, look for Orkney cheddar, smoked fish, and oatcakes in the deli shops along the main street. Eating well here does not require a reservation or a big budget. Don't expect fine dining — this is a working island town and the food reflects that honestly.

Shopping

Albert Street and the lanes around it carry a good range of genuinely local goods: Orkney Gold and other independent jewellers do Orcadian-designed pieces worth considering, Orkney Craft Butcher has excellent meat products, and various delis stock cheese and oatcakes you can actually take home as useful gifts. The Judith Glue shop sells quality knitted goods and locally designed homeware.

Avoid the lower-end souvenir shops selling mass-produced Scottish tat that has nothing to do with Orkney. The town is small enough that you can tell the difference quickly.

Money & Currency

Currency

British Pound Sterling (GBP)

USD Accepted?

No

Card Payments

Contactless and card payment widely accepted in shops, cafes, and attractions. Smaller independent stalls may be cash-only.

ATMs

ATMs available in the town centre on Broad Street and near the main shops. Not always reliable on busy ship days — withdraw cash early if needed.

Tipping

Not expected in the same way as the US. Round up or add 10% in sit-down restaurants if service was good; not required in cafes or for tours.

Notes

Euro is not accepted. Exchange at home or use a no-fee card for best rates.

Weather & Best Time

Best months

June and July offer the longest daylight hours — sometimes 18-19 hours of usable light. Mildest weather is May through August.

Avoid

October through March brings frequent gales, very short days, and limited visitor facilities. Most cruise calls avoid this period.

Temperature

12-17°C (54-63°F) in summer months; feels colder in wind, which is almost constant

Notes

Orkney weather is famously changeable. Four seasons in one day is not a cliché here. Always bring waterproofs and a windproof layer regardless of the forecast.

Airport Information

Airport

Kirkwall Airport

Distance

2.5 miles from Hatston Pier; 1 mile from town centre

Getting there

Taxi is the most practical option; no direct bus link of practical use for cruise passengers

Notes

Flights connect to Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Inverness, and the smaller Orkney islands. Useful for pre- or post-cruise stays if you want to extend time in Scotland.