St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall, Orkney, Scotland

A short video of St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall, Orkney
Set in the heart of Kirkwall, the capital city of the Orkney Islands
Saint Magnus cathedral dominates the skyline of Kirkwall. It is the oldest cathedral in Scotland and the most Northerly cathedral in the United Kingdom.
Built for the bishops of Orkney when the Islands were ruled by the Norse Earls of Orkney.
Construction began in 1137 and it was added to over the next three hundred years.
The first bishop was William the old and the diocese was under the authority of the Archbishop Bishop of Nidaros in Norway.
It was for Bishop William that the nearby Bishop's Palace palace was built.

People accused of witchcraft in Orkney from 1594 - 1708 Were usually incarcerated in Saint Magnus Cathedral with trials also held there.
The dungeon was used as a prison until as late as the 18th century
Those accused of witchcraft would have been held here before their trial and execution.

It is free to enter and there is a few contribution boxes around the entrance of the cathedral.

The ship's bell from HMS Royal Oak , which was sunk in Scapa Flow 1939 is located on the North Aisle of the Cathedral.

Guided tours of the hidden upper levels are available to book. These tours give visitors a chance to walk up the narrow spiral, stone staircases of this stunning sandstone cathedral. You will see galleries and collections of artefacts, the clock mechanism, the huge bells and the base of the spire. Before getting chance to take in a bird's eye view of Kirkwall too. These must be booked in advance.
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