Orkney Islands
St Magnus Cathedral
About
St Magnus Cathedral
St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall is the most northerly medieval cathedral in Britain and one of the finest Romanesque buildings in Scotland — a magnificent structure of red and yellow Orkney sandstone founded in 1137, whose soaring nave and ancient pillars have survived the centuries largely intact. It was built by Earl Rögnvald Kali Kolsson in memory of his uncle Magnus Erlendsson, martyred on the island of Egilsay in 1117 and subsequently canonised. Unlike most Scottish cathedrals, St Magnus survived the Reformation without significant damage and remains in active use as a Church of Scotland parish church — giving it a living quality quite different from the managed ruins found elsewhere. The relics of St Magnus himself, discovered in a pillar in 1919, remain within the building. The cathedral is free to enter and sits at the heart of Kirkwall's old town, within easy walking distance of the Earl's Palace and Bishop's Palace ruins.
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FAQs
St Magnus Cathedral was founded in 1137 by Earl Rognvald Kali Kolsson in memory of his uncle Magnus Erlendsson, martyred on the island of Egilsay in 1117. Building went on for several centuries, leaving a mix of Romanesque and Gothic in red and yellow Orkney sandstone. It's the most northerly cathedral in Britain.
It's one of the finest medieval buildings in Scotland. The soaring sandstone nave, the ancient pillars, and the relics of St Magnus himself, whose bones were found inside a pillar in 1919, all make it worth your time. Unlike many Scottish cathedrals it came through the Reformation largely intact and is still an active church.
Entry is free, and the cathedral is open to visitors all year, though hours shift with the season. Guided tours run at certain times. It stands in the heart of Kirkwall's old town, a short walk from the Earl's Palace and Bishop's Palace ruins.
A few things set it apart. It's one of only two medieval cathedrals in Scotland, along with Glasgow Cathedral, still largely intact and in regular use; it holds the relics of St Magnus, long believed to have healing powers; its Romanesque architecture is built from Orkney's distinctive red and yellow sandstone; and every June it hosts the St Magnus International Festival.
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St Magnus Cathedral
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