Must see No.4

St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall

Working in Kirkwall today I took the chance to nip over the Kirk Green and capture the Cathedral for my 'tour' series. St Magnus Cathedral dominates the centre of Kirkwall.

I'm no expert on cathedrals but I reckon this has more going for it than most. A stunning Romano Gothic (I learnt this from the guide book) building and the most northerly cathedral in Britain. It is the only one to have a dungeon. Has been laid siege to during a rebellion (the outside is covered in musket ball holes). Abounds with tales of witchcraft, pirates, treasure and ghosts. And of course the story of the viking St Magnus himself, betrayed by his cousin, murdered by an axe weilding cook and eventually having his skeleton entombed in a pillar in the cathedral built in his memory by his nephew.

A more modern bit of trivia: it was the venue for the last broadcast that Magnus Magnusson did for Mastermind.

This pic doesn't show the amazing red & yellow sandstone but I loved the light and monastic simplicity of this it.

Must see tour so far:

1. Italian Chapel
2 - The Gloup
3. Kirbuster Museum