Orphir facts for kids
Orphir (pronounced Old Norse: Jorfjara/Orfjara) is a parish and settlement on Mainland, Orkney. It is approximately 9 miles (14 kilometres) southwest of Kirkwall, and comprises a seaboard tract of about 7 by 3+1⁄2 mi (11.5 by 5.5 km), and includes Cava and the Holm of Houton. The coast includes Houton Head, about 300 feet (90 metres) tall, but all elsewhere is nearly level; and the interior is an assemblage of vales and hills, the latter culminating at about 700 ft (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, the Round Kirk and several tumuli.
The ferry terminal of Houton is also located in Orphir, the ferries to Flotta and Hoy (Lyness) leave from this departure point. [1]
