Royal burgh and chief town (pop., 1995 est.: 7,000), Orkney Islands , Scotland.
Located on Pomona Island off the northern tip of Scotland, it has evidence of Norse influence persisting as late as the building of the Cathedral of St. Magnus in the 12th century. Kirkwall functions mainly as a commercial and service centre for the Orkney Islands and is also the islands' historic county town (seat) and administrative centre. The exploitation of North Sea oil has led to development of offshore servicing and supply for the oil industry.