| Location | Hatston Pier. Kirkwall. Lat. 59° 00′ 01″ N, Long. 002° 58′ 29″ W. | Anchorage Position | Kirkwall Bay Inner Anchorage position; 580 59.52’N 0020 57.67’W Kirkwall Bay Outer Anchorage position; 590 00.30’N 0020 57.75’W |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. of Berths | 4 | Berth details | Hatston Pier 385 Metres LOA 10.5 Draft Kirkwall North Stromness North Lyness |
| Airdraught | Unrestricted | Town centre | Approx. 2 miles |
| Width of Ship | Unrestricted | Shuttle to town | Yes Free of Charge |
| Anchorage | Anchorage available in Kirkwall Bay, Stromness and on some of our outer isles. | Nearest airport | Kirkwall Airport |
Overview
At 59 degrees north, and embracing British, Scottish, Orcadian and Viking Heritage and Culture, The Orkney Islands are a must see destination on any Around Britain, Scandinavian or Northern European cruise.
The diversity of itineraries encompassing 5000 years of history, relics of two World Wars, Britains most northerly Cathedral, Castle, Distilleries and a globally renowned Word Heritage Site all contribute to a wealth of choice in deciding how to spend your time in Orkney.
Scotland’s longest deepwater, commercial berth can accommodate some of the world’s largest cruise liners, and there is additional capacity for other berthing and anchorage locations in Kirkwall and Stromness and on some of our Isles.
Cruise ship visitors are given a welcome brochure and street map with all the main tourism points of interest highlighted in six international languages, and a complimentary shuttle bus service transports passengers from the main terminal at Hatston Pier into Kirkwall. It is worth noting that despite the progressive vibrancy and bustling commercial activity of this island group, there are no trains, dual carriageways, shopping malls or fixed traffic lights in Orkney which makes the visit experience unique.
Attractions
On arriving in Orkney you’ll enter a different world, one in which you’ll discover stunning scenery, unrivalled archaeology, abundant wildlife, rich culture and fabulous food and drink.
You’ll also find a warm welcome awaiting you within our friendly communities. We’re proud of our distinctive heritage and eager to share our many wonderful attractions with you, our guests.
You’ll see our most famous landmarks and travel back over 5,000 years in time, but we also hope you’ll make countless discoveries of your own and leave here with treasured memories of the time you’ve shared with us.
Popular excursions
Orkney is famous for its ancient sites - Skara Brae, Ring of Brodgar, Standing Stones of Stenness, Maeshowe - but there are many others to enjoy and our towns are full of history, interest and fabulous eating, drinking and shopping opportunities, so we hope you have time to explore some of these.
Don't forget to check out orkney.com/today or enquire at VisitScotland Visitor Information Centre to find out more about what’s going on in Orkney on the day of your visit or ask the locals who will be happy to help.
Kirkwall BID | Promoting, enhancing and supporting Kirkwall town centre and its businesses
St Magnus Cathedral
Founded in 1137 by Earl Rognvald, in honour of his uncle St Magnus, this stunning building with its distinctive sandstone hues is one of Orkney's most significant landmarks. It is Britain's most Northerly Cathedral and known as the 'Light of the North'.
Owned by the people of Orkney, it has a special place in our hearts and regularly used for all types of services.
The Cathedral, set in the heart of Kirkwall, the capital of the Orkney Islands, is a place of stillness, inspiration, warmth and is steeped in the presence of God.
The Italian Chapel
The Italian Chapel Feature Page on Undiscovered Scotland
The Italian Chapel | History | Orkney.com
This lovely chapel is known as the Italian chapel because it was built by Italian prisoners of war during World War Two. Five hundred men were housed at Camp 60 on Lamb holm, having been sent to Orkney to help build the Churchill Barriers.
The men had very little to work with when creating the Chapel. It is amazing what they created - a truly unique and wonderful place, which is an unforgettable inspiration to all those who visit it.
The Italian Chapel is open to the public all year round.
Skara Brae
Skara Brae | Leading Public Body for Scotland's Historic Environment
The Neolithic settlement of Skara Brae lies near the beautiful white beach of the Bay of Skaill. Skara Brae is the best-preserved group of prehistoric houses in western Europe. Uncovered by a storm in 1850, the site presents a remarkable picture of life around 5,000 years ago. Visitors can experience a vivid impression of the realities of a prehistoric village and see ancient homes fitted with stone bed enclosures, dressers and seats. A replica construction allows visitors to fully understand the interior of a prehistoric house. An informative visitor centre provides touch screen presentations, fact-finding quizzes for children and adults, and an opportunity to see artefacts discovered during archaeological excavations in the 1970's. There is a cafe (which may have restricted opening hours in the winter) and a well-stocked gift shop selling locally made souvenirs and crafts. Skara Brae is part of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site.
Scapa Flow Museum
Scapa Flow Museum (orkney.gov.uk)
The Scapa Flow Museum tells the story of Scapa Flow and Orkney's role during two World Wars.
The newly restored museum re-opened in 2022 and is home to more than 250 fascinating artefacts.
Special interactive exhibits help bring it to life, a short walk from the quay there is also cafe onsite.
Other attractions on the island of Hoy include the Longhope Lifeboat Museum, Hackness Martello Tower and Battery and the Lyness Royal Naval Cemetery.
Contact details
- Lenore Macdonald - Cruise Operations and Marketing Co-ordinator
Contact Port
