A Peedie Bit O' Orkney...

Probably the most famous landmark in Orkney... St Magnus Cathedral, started in 1137, most Northerly Cathedral in the British Isles, and what gave Kirkwall its status as a city and Royal burgh.

St Magnus differs from most churches in that it doesn't belong to the church, but to the people and city of Kirkwall, and has done since 1468.

It's an incredibly beautiful building, slap bang in the middle of the main street of Kirkwall (but when it was built, it stood on the waterfront, before a large area of land was reclaimed).

It's mainly built from local red sandstone, and includes Norman and Gothic architecture... mainly because it took so long to complete, and fashions change.

Wikipedia entry here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Magnus_Cathedral