St Magnus Cathedral

Rognvald Kolsson began the cathedral in 1137 in memory of his uncle Magnus, killed on Egilsay in 1117 and venerated as a saint, and it was built when Orkney was part of the Norwegian realm rather than Scotland, by masons who had worked at Durham; the plan and the massive round arcades show it. The stone alternates red and yellow sandstone in bands and chequers, which is unusual and gives the interior its colour. In 1919 the cathedral was transferred not to a church body but to the burgh of Kirkwall, and it remains the property of the local authority, an arrangement almost unique in Britain. The relics of Magnus and Rognvald were found in the piers in 1919 and 1926, hidden there at the Reformation. The St Magnus Festival is held here each June.

What you actually see

• The banded sandstone - red and yellow stone alternating through the interior.
• The Norse origin - a cathedral begun in 1137 under Norwegian rule.
• The council ownership - a cathedral owned by the burgh rather than a church.
• The pier relics - the places where the bones of Magnus and Rognvald were found.

When to go

Year-round; entry is free and it opens daily with shorter winter hours. The St Magnus Festival in June brings concerts. Tower tours run seasonally with limited numbers.

Honest expectations

The tower tour involves a tight spiral and is not available in winter or high wind. Orkney travel depends on ferries and flights that disrupt in weather. The interior is dark on grey days, which are frequent.

Nearby

The Bishop's and Earl's Palaces are opposite; Skara Brae and Brodgar are a short drive west.