Orphir facts for kids

The Hall of Clestrain, where explorer John Rae was born. It's now a ruin.

Orphir is a small area and village on Mainland, Orkney, which is one of the islands of Orkney, Scotland. It's about 9 miles (14.5 km) southwest of Kirkwall, the main town in Orkney.

This area stretches along the coast for about 7 miles (11 km) and goes inland for about 3.5 miles (5.6 km). It also includes two smaller islands called Cava and the Holm of Houton. The coastline has a tall cliff called Houton Head, which is about 300 feet (91 meters) high. Most of the other coastal areas are quite flat.

Inland, Orphir has a mix of valleys and hills. The highest hills reach about 700 feet (213 meters) above sea level, offering amazing views of the surrounding area.

Exploring Orphir: What to See

Orphir is home to several interesting places, from historic buildings to ancient burial sites.

Historic Buildings and Ruins

One important old building is the Hall of Clestrain. This was once a grand home. Orphir also has the ruins of Earl Paul's Palace. This was a palace built by an important historical figure, Earl Paul. You can also find remains of old chapels from before the Reformation, a big change in the church.

The Orphir Round Church

A very special building in Orphir is the Round Kirk. It's unique because it's one of the very few round churches in Scotland. It was built a long, long time ago, likely in the 12th century.

Ancient Burial Mounds

Around Orphir, you can find several ancient burial mounds, known as tumuli. These are hills or mounds of earth built over graves from prehistoric times. They tell us about the people who lived here thousands of years ago.

Houton Ferry Terminal

The Houton ferry terminal is also located in Orphir. From here, you can catch ferries to the islands of Flotta and Hoy (Lyness). It's an important link for people traveling between the islands.