Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(
01856-874619;
www.highlandpark.co.uk
; Holm Rd; tour adult/child £6/free; daily
May-Aug, Mon-Fri Sep-Apr)
South of the centre, this distillery, where they malt their own
barley, is great to visit. You can see the barley and the peat kiln used to dry it on the excel-
lent, well-informed hour-long tour (hourly May to August, and weekdays at 2pm and 3pm
September to April). The standard 12-year-old is a soft, balanced malt, great for novices
and aficionados alike; the 18-year-old is among the world's finest drams. This and older
whiskies can be tasted on more specialised tours (£35 and £75), which you can prear-
range.
Festivals & Events
St Magnus Festival
(
01856-871445;
www.stmagnusfestival.com
)
A colourful celebration of music and the
arts in June.
ARTS, MUSIC
THE BA'
Every Christmas Day and New Year's Day, Kirkwall holds a staggering spectacle: a crazy ball game known as
The Ba'. Two enormous teams, the Uppies and the Doonies, fight their way, no holds barred, through the streets,
trying to get a leather ball to the other end of town. The ball is thrown from the Market Cross outside the St Mag-
nus Cathedral to the waiting crowd; the Uppies' objective is to get the ba' to the corner of Main St and Junction
Rd, the Doonies must get it to the water. Violence, skulduggery, and other stunts are common and the event,
fuelled by plenty of strong drink, can last for hours.
Sleeping
HOTEL
Albert Hotel££
(
01856-876000;
www.alberthotel.co.uk
; Mounthoolie Lane; s/d £96/133; )
Stylishly
refurbished in plum and grey, this central but peaceful hotel is Kirkwall's finest address.
Comfortable contemporary rooms in a variety of categories sport superinviting beds and
smart bathrooms. A great Orkney base, but you may end up spending more time in the ex-
cellent Bothy Bar downstairs. Walk-in prices are usually somewhat lower than these rack
rates.
