Kirkwall

Kirkwall, the capital of Orkney, on the east coast of Mainland, 49 miles NE. of Thurso, and 225 N. of Leith. St Magnus' Cathedral (1137-1500) is a stately cruciform pile, mixed Norman and Gothic in style. It measures 253 feet by 102 across the transept, and has a central tower 133 feet high. The choir serves as a parish church. The last vestige of the royal castle was demolished in 1865; but the roofless Earl's Palace (1607) remains, and a tower (1550) of the Bishop's Palace, in which King Haco died in 1263. In 1876-79, £10,500 was expended on drainage, paving, and water-supply; and the harbour, with an iron pier of 1866, has also been much improved. Made a royal burgh in 1486, Kirkwall unites with Wick, &c., to return one member to parliament. Pop. (1841) 3041; (1891) 3926. See Tudor's Orkneys and Shetlands (1883).