Kirkwall, United Kingdom
Scotland · United Kingdom
Kirkwall is a small city in Scotland, United Kingdom with a population of 7,420. Elevation: 10 ft (3 m). Average temperature: 46°F (8°C).
Population source: Wikidata (dated census and official estimates), GeoNames. Climate: WorldClim 2.1 normals (1970-2000), NASA POWER. Updated August 2026
Discover Kirkwall, United Kingdom
Explore over 40 sections covering people, economy, housing, health, crime, climate, community, costs, trends, schools, colleges, hospitals, treatment centers, industries, museums, libraries, breweries, farmers markets, grocery stores, pharmacies, campgrounds, parks, trails, stadiums, ski resorts, daycare centers, nursing homes, churches, fire stations, cell towers, bridges, power plants, EV stations, prisons, radio stations, airports, police stations, post offices, Amtrak stations, superfund sites, UNESCO sites, and more.
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About Kirkwall
Kirkwall is the largest town in Orkney, an archipelago to the north of mainland Scotland. First mentioned in the Orkneyinga saga, it is today the location of the headquarters of the Orkney Islands Council and a transport hub with ferries to many locations. It is the centre of the St Magnus International Festival and is also a popular stopping off point for cruise ships. St Magnus Cathedral stands at the heart of the town.
People
Climate
| Population | 7,420 |
| Population Density | 5,300 / sq mi |
| Elevation | 10 ft (3 m) |
| Coordinates | 58.9848°, -2.9587° |
| Timezone | Europe/London |
| Country | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom |
| State / Province | Scotland |
| Average Temperature | 46°F (8°C) |
| January Average | 40°F (4°C) |
| July Average | 54°F (12°C) |
| Annual Precipitation | 41.8 inches (1,061 mm) |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0 inches (0 cm) |
About Kirkwall
Kirkwall is a small city in United Kingdom (Scotland) with a population of 7,420. The city sits at an elevation of 10 feet (3 meters) above sea level. The average annual temperature is 46°F (8°C). Temperatures range from 40°F in January to 54°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 41.8 inches. The timezone is Europe/London.
Climate in Kirkwall
Kirkwall has an average annual temperature of 8.3°C (47°F). The hottest month is Aug (13.3°C), the coldest is Jan (4.4°C). Average annual precipitation is 1034 mm.
Temperature
| Annual Average | 46.0°F |
| 15% below United Kingdom avg | |
| January Average | 40°F (4°C) |
| July Average | 54°F (12°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 10 ft (3 m) |
| Area | 1.4 sq mi (3.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 5,300/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 58.9848°N, 2.9587°W |
| Timezone | Europe/London |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 40°F (4°C) | 4.3 in | |
| February | 39°F (4°C) | 3.4 in | Coldest |
| March | 40°F (5°C) | 3.9 in | |
| April | 43°F (6°C) | 2.6 in | |
| May | 47°F (8°C) | 2.1 in | Driest |
| June | 51°F (10°C) | 2.2 in | |
| July | 54°F (12°C) | 2.4 in | |
| August | 55°F (13°C) | 2.9 in | Warmest |
| September | 52°F (11°C) | 4.0 in | |
| October | 48°F (9°C) | 4.6 in | |
| November | 43°F (6°C) | 5.0 in | Wettest |
| December | 41°F (5°C) | 4.6 in |
Kirkwall has a seasonal temperature swing of 15°F / from 39°F in February to 55°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 41.8 inches, with November being the wettest month (5.0") and May the driest (2.1").
Colleges & Universities in Kirkwall
| Institution | Type | Founded | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heriot-Watt University - Orkney Campus | University | - | Visit → |
| Orkney College UHI | University | - | , |
| Orkney College UHI - Maritime Studies | University | - | , |
| Robert Gordon University Orkney Project | University | - | , |
Schools in Kirkwall
6 public schools (OpenStreetMap data).
| School | Level | Enrollment | Teachers | Student/Teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Papdale Primary School | - | - | - | - |
| Shapinsay Community School | - | - | - | - |
| St Andrew's Primary School | - | - | - | - |
| Firth Primary School | - | - | - | - |
| Glaitness School | - | - | - | - |
| Kirkwall Grammar School | - | - | - | - |
Radio Stations near Kirkwall
0 stations within ~55 km.
| Station | Genre | Quality |
|---|
Museums in Kirkwall
| Name | Type | Address | Phone | Annual Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eday Heritage & Visitor Centre | ||||
| Flotta Heritage Centre / Museum | ||||
| Highland Park Distillery Visitor Centre | ||||
| Orkney Fossil and Vintage Centre | ||||
| Orkney Museum | ||||
| Orkney Wireless Museum | ||||
| Orkneyinga Saga Centre | ||||
| Rousay Heritage Centre | ||||
| Scapa Flow Visitor Centre & Museum | ||||
| Shapinsay Heritage Centre | ||||
| Tomb of the Eagles Visitor's Centre | ||||
| Town Hall | ||||
| W. Hourston Blacksmith's Museum |
Libraries in Kirkwall
| Name | Address | Staff | Annual Visits | Circulation | Collection | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orkney Library & Archive | 0.0 |
Hotels in Kirkwall
14 hotels within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Restaurants in Kirkwall
9 restaurants within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Cafes in Kirkwall
7 cafes within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Cinemas in Kirkwall
1 cinemas within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Theatres in Kirkwall
2 theatres within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Monuments in Kirkwall
1 monuments within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Castles in Kirkwall
2 castles within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Clinics in Kirkwall
1 clinics within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Dentists in Kirkwall
2 dentists within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Veterinaries in Kirkwall
2 veterinaries within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Bus Stations in Kirkwall
2 bus stations within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Gas Stations in Kirkwall
7 gas stations within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Banks in Kirkwall
5 banks within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Golf Courses in Kirkwall
1 golf courses within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Airports Near Kirkwall
11 airports within the area.
| Airport | IATA | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Eday Airport | EOI | Medium Airport |
| Kirkwall Airport | KOI | Medium Airport |
| Wick John O'Groats Airport | WIC | Medium Airport |
| Corston Airstrip | - | Small Airport |
| Flotta Isle Airstrip | FLH | Small Airport |
| Lamb Holm Airfield | - | Small Airport |
| North Ronaldsay Airport | NRL | Small Airport |
| Papa Westray Airport | PPW | Small Airport |
| Sanday Airport | NDY | Small Airport |
| Stronsay Airport | SOY | Small Airport |
| Westray Airport | WRY | Small Airport |
Post Offices in Kirkwall
5 post offices.
| Post Office | Address |
|---|---|
| Balfour Post Office | |
| Finstown Post Office | |
| Kirkwall Post Office | |
| Papdale Post Office | |
| St Andrews Post Office |
UNESCO World Heritage Sites Near Kirkwall
1 UNESCO sites.
| Site | Category | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Skara Brae |
Churches & Religious Organizations in Kirkwall
10 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Firth Church | |
| Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses | |
| Kirkwall Baptist Church | |
| Kirkwall East Church | |
| North Church | |
| Our Lady and St Joseph RC Church | |
| Peedie Kirk (Kirkwall URC) | |
| Saint Magnus Cathedral | |
| St Olaf Scottish Episcopal Church | |
| The Salvation Army |
Quick Facts
🇬🇧 About United Kingdom
UNESCO World Heritage Sites Near Kirkwall
Public Holidays in United Kingdom
14 public holidays this year
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Get ReportFrequently Asked Questions About Kirkwall
What is the population of Kirkwall?
Kirkwall has a population of 7,420 residents and is located in United Kingdom. The population density is 5,300 people per square mile, spread across 1.4 square miles.
What is the weather like in Kirkwall?
Kirkwall has a four-season climate with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winter temperatures average 40°F in January, while summers reach an average of 54°F in July. Annual rainfall totals 41.8 inches.
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