Kirkwall

Kirkwall (Scots: Kirkwaa or Kirkwal; Norn: Kirkavå) is the largest town in Orkney, an archipelago to the north of mainland Scotland.

Kirkwall
Kirkwall Harbour in August 2014
Kirkwall
Location within Orkney
Area4.00 km2 (1.54 sq mi)
Population10,020 (mid-2020 est.)
 Density2,505/km2 (6,490/sq mi)
DemonymKirkwallian
OS grid referenceHY449109
 Edinburgh210 mi (340 km)
 London528 mi (850 km)
Council area
Lieutenancy area
CountryScotland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townKIRKWALL
Postcode districtKW15
Dialling code01856
PoliceScotland
FireScottish
AmbulanceScottish
UK Parliament
Scottish Parliament

There is no history of Gaelic in Orkney. The name Kirkwall comes from the Norse name Kirkjuvágr ("Church Bay"), which later changed to Kirkvoe, Kirkwaa and Kirkwall. Kirkwall was formerly the site of an ancient Norse town founded approximately 1000 years ago. Today, it is a transport hub with ferries to many locations.

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