Orphir

Orphir (Old Norse: Jorfjara/Orfjara) is a parish and settlement in Mainland, Orkney. It is approximately 9 miles (14 km) southwest of Kirkwall, and comprehends a seaboard tract of about 7 by 3½ miles (11 by 5½ km), and includes Cava and the Holm of Houton. The coast includes Houton Head, about 300 ft tall (91 m), but all elsewhere is nearly level; and the interior is an assemblage of vales and hills, the latter culminating at about 700 feet (210 m) above sea level, and commanding fine views.

A chief residence was the Hall of Clestrain; and chief antiquities include the ruins of Earl Paul's Palace, remains of pre-Reformation chapels, and several tumuli.

Notable people

References

This article incorporates text from - Wilson, Rev. John The Gazetteer of Scotland (Edinburgh, 1882) Published by W. & A.K. Johnstone