This is a very busy pier with fishing boats and cargo ships coming and going. Before the first pier was built, ships moored off in Kirkwall Bay, goods being transferred in small dories, or flit boats. On the site of the Kirkwall Hotel, which was built in 1890, there stood a building called Traill's Folly, on account of its size and style, and opposite this was the original small pier. In 1809 the new pier was begun, opening in 1811. The West Pier was built in 1813, and the face of the Rampart was built in the same year. The builders felt a direct injustice on the part of the Government, as no public assistance was forthcoming. Perhaps the Government and EU aid given in support of the current pier expansion goes some way to alleviate this, albeit about 200 years later!
Lighthouse
This conical cast iron tower with an ornate lantern. Approx. 6 m (20 ft) painted white was built in 1854 by Thomas Telford, When the harbour was expanded in 1994, this historic light was deactivated and relocated to the west pier of the old inner harbour.
RNLI Lifeboat Station
Officially established in 1972 Kirkwall is a relatively recent addition to Scotland’s coastal rescue services. The first 30 years have seen long and arduous rescues carried out to leisure craft, fishing vessels and larger commercial vessels.
North Isles Ferries
Kirkwall is also the terminal for many of the ferries to Orkney's north isles. The ferry to Shapinsay departs from a slipway on the west side of the West pier. Ferries to Westray, Stronsay, Sanday and Eday depart from the linkspan on the main pier.