Kirkwall
Town on Orkney, Scotland / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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For the fictional city from the Dragon Age series, see Dragon Age II § Setting.
Kirkwall (Scots: Kirkwaa or Kirkwal; Norn: Kirkavå) is the largest town in Orkney, an archipelago to the north of mainland Scotland.
Quick Facts Area, Population ...
Kirkwall | |
---|---|
Kirkwall Harbour in August 2014 | |
Location within Orkney | |
Area | 4.00 km2 (1.54 sq mi) |
Population | 10,020 (mid-2020 est.)[2][3] |
• Density | 2,505/km2 (6,490/sq mi) |
Demonym | Kirkwallian |
OS grid reference | HY449109 |
• Edinburgh | 210 mi (340 km) |
• London | 528 mi (850 km) |
Council area | |
Lieutenancy area | |
Country | Scotland |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | KIRKWALL |
Postcode district | KW15 |
Dialling code | 01856 |
Police | Scotland |
Fire | Scottish |
Ambulance | Scottish |
UK Parliament | |
Scottish Parliament | |
58.981°N 2.960°W / 58.981; -2.960 |
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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.[4]