Witches of Orkney
A guided walk through Kirkwall (1.5 h), exploring Orkney’s historical witchcraft trials, held over 300 years ago.
A guided walk through Kirkwall (1.5 h) exploring Orkney's historical witchcraft trials. In the 1600s, people feared witches and the power they held over farming, health, and fortunes. During those dark days, more than 70 Orkney women and men were taken to court accused of witchcraft, sorcery and necromancy.
The tour starts at Parliament Close, on the corner of Bridge Street and Albert Street, and concludes at the town's old execution site, now home to a special memorial to all those who lost their lives due to witchcraft trials.
More than 70 people were taken to court accused of witchcraft during those dark days. The route begins at Parliament Close to hear how a law passed in 1563 made ‘witchcraft, sorcery, and necromancy’ a capital offence. Those taking part will see site of the old Kirkwall Castle, and the former Tolbooth where some witches were imprisoned.
The exteriors of St Magnus Cathedral and the Earl’s Palace will offer stunningly spooky stops, before the tour concludes at the town’s execution site – now home to a special memorial – where folk can pay their respects to all those who lost their lives during the trials.
7.00 pm: Meet at Parliament Close, on the corner of Albert Street and Bridge Street, Kirkwall. Tour begins.
Walking tour up Albert Street, via Broad Street, St Magnus Cathedral graveyard, Earl's Palace courtyard, up Palace Road and Dundas Crescent.
8.30 pm approx.: Tour ends at witch trial memorial on the junction of Dundas Crescent and Clay Loan.
Please wear warm and waterproof clothing suited to the weather conditions on the day.
If you bought a ticket, but didn’t turn up on the day, we can’t afterwards refund it, sorry.
If you discover, in advance, that you have accidentally booked for the wrong date, and you contact us in good time, we can change you to another date.
If illness or travel obstructions permit you from participating, you can give your ticket to someone else, or ask us to change to another date.
If we cancel the event, we will of course refund all tickets. We will only cancel the event in extreme and unavoidable circumstances. We do not cancel for a bit of bad weather.