Orkney Vikings
From Invasion to Integration
Most commonly associated with murderous
plunder and pillage, the Vikings are a significant contribution to our heritage.
Discover the reality of how they came, integrated, influenced and enriched our
culture. See astonishing Viking buildings, amazing views and trail the Vikings
ancient wonders, from early Broughs to magnificent Cathedrals. Join us and
Explore Orkney with the story of the Earldom of Orkney as told in the sagas.
We will pick you up at 9am and make our way to Kirkwall. The town is first recorded in The Orkneyinga Saga and is thought to date from at least the eleventh century. It was believed to be one of the most important towns of the Norse Western Empire. We will take you to the St Magnus Centre where you can see a short film about St Magnus and the founding of the St Magnus Cathedral.
Next we take a short walk down the road to the magnificent St Magnus Cathedral, passing the Earls and Bishops palaces. The Bishops palace built in the mid 12th century for Bishop William The Old who was an old crusading companion and friend of Earl Rognvald Kolosson the Cathedrals founder. We arrive at the Cathedral built in honour of St Magnus. It took three centuries to complete with construction beginning in 1137. Uniquely, St Magnus is renowned for being the only cathedral in Britain with a dungeon; it is known as Marwick's Hole. Also unique for Britain’s cathedrals, is the Norwegian bell ringing technique known as 'clocking'. One person can peel the bells by hand and foot pedals.
We head next to the remains of the Round Kirk and Earls Bu, built in the late 11th or12th century thought to have been built by Earl Hakon dedicated to St Nicholas. Beside the Round Kirk lie the remains of a great drinking hall or Bu as it is known, used for drinking sessions which were periodically interrupted by trips to the Kirk for prayer. It was here that rivalry between Svein Asleifsson and Svein Breast Rrope (as told in The Orkneyinga Sagas) happened, where there was believed to have been arguments about unfair drinking which then resulted in Svein Breast-Ropes death.
Moving on we drive to the magnificent view of Damsay where it was believed
that Svein Asleifson made his escape to, from the Earls Bu. Damsay is a small flat
island in the bay of firth, according to the Orkneyinga Saga it was the site of a Norse
stronghold, Damsay has a number of traditions attached to it, commonly, it is known
as a place of pilgrimage.
Another drive takes us to the Brough of Birsay, thought to have originally been connected to the mainland. It was seen as a great seat of power to have the Brough. Here the Vikings built over the already existing remains of the Pictish people that used to live on the Brough. The earliest settlers on the Brough are thought to have been Christian missionaries, from the fifth century AD.
Visiting the Brough will depend on the tidal times.
As we travel back from the Brough of Birsay we will visit the Broch of Gurness.
This is one more of the many sites which were taken over by the Norse. There was
one Viking grave found on site and also the remains of what was believed to have
been a large Norse Hall.
Refreshments and lunch will be at a local hotel/restaurant. Times for lunch may vary due to the changing tides of the day at the Brough of Birsay
Tour fees include all admission fees to sites of interest and lunch.
Features Summary
This trip is about the Vikings in Orkney. It gives us an idea and glimpse into their harsh lives, their passions and their thirst for adventure.
Trace the Vikings
- St. Magnus Centre
- Magnificent St. Magnus cathedral
- Orphir Round Kirk and Earls Bu
- View of the Island of Damsay
- Brough of Birsay
- Broch of Gurness
- Coffee and Lunch included
- All site admissions included
For booking information click here
