[5] It is the centre of the St Magnus International Festival and is also a popular stopping off point for cruise ships.

"[8][a] The town was first mentioned in the Orkneyinga saga in the year 1046, when it was recorded as the residence of Rögnvald Brusason, the Earl of Orkney, who was killed by his uncle Thorfinn the Mighty.

After Union with England it combined with other towns to form the Northern Burghs, sending a single MP to Parliament.

On the western edge of the town, surrounded by Hatston Industrial Estate, there is a prehistoric monument, known as the "Grain Earth House" (see Historic Scotland).

It is a short, low, stone-walled passage, deep underground, leading to a small pillared chamber.

It is situated on the northern coast of Mainland, Orkney, with its harbours in the bay of Kirkwall to the north, and with Scapa Flow 1.4 mi (2.3 km) to the south.

[20][3] Kirkwall harbour with nearly 1 kilometre (0.6 mi) of quay edge is the second commercial hub for Orkney after Hatston.

[22] Weaving in Orkney took place from Viking times, with John Sclater & Co involved in Tweed production in Kirkwall in the 1970s.

[27] It is located in a Category C listed building, possibly the former harbour master's office, on Junction Road.

[28] Orkney Tourist Board is located in an 18th-century Category B listed building on Broad Street.

[31] The composer Peter Maxwell Davies was among a group which founded the annual St Magnus International Festival which is centred on Kirkwall each midsummer.

[37] Kirkwall is a port with ferry services to Aberdeen and Lerwick, as well as the principal north islands in the group.

Hatson pier, the main ferry terminal, is some 2 mi (3 km) outside the town centre.

[43] The Orkney College main campus is situated in Kirkwall, in a purpose-built building that opened in 2000.