Orphir

Not to be confused with Ophir.

Orphir (pronounced /ɔːrfɪr/, Old Norse: Jorfjara or Orfjara)^[1][2][3] is a parish and settlement on Mainland, Orkney, Scotland.

The Hall of Clestrain, birthplace of John Rae, and currently derelict

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.

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 located in Orphir. The ferries to Flotta and Hoy (Lyness) depart from this point.^[4] Ramsdale Shooting Range is also located in Orphir.

Notable people

• John Rae (1813–1893), the explorer of Canada's Arctic was born at the Hall of Clestrain in this parish.
• Henry Halcro Johnston, botanist and international rugby union player was born and died at Orphir.
• Jamie Halcro Johnston, Scottish Conservative MSP, was brought up at Orphir.
• Margaret Manson Graham (1860–1933), missionary nurse in Nigeria, born in Orphir.^[5]
• John Gerard Anderson (1836–1911), Australian educationist