West End Hotel

Main Street, Kirkwall, Orkney, KW15 1BV
Telephone: 01856 872368
Fax: 01856 876181
Scottish Tourist Board 3 Star Hotel

West End Hotel, Kirkwall, Front of House,12K

About the Hotel

This family run hotel built in 1824 became Orkney's first hospital in 1845, which it remained for 81 years before being converted into an hotel. It has since undergone complete refurbishment, offering a total of sixteen comfortable rooms - ten rooms in the main building and six rooms in the nearby annex.

All rooms are fully equipped with shower, toilet, colour television, direct-dial telephone and tea/coffee making facilities. Cots and high chairs are also available. The hotel has a private car park, for residents use, and is situated within easy walking distance of the centre of the historic city of Kirkwall.

The hotel offers a comfortable lounge/bar area. A fine selection of wines and spirits is available together with locally brewed beers. Relax in front of the open fire and enjoy local Orcadian hospitality at its very best.

Lunches and evening meals using fresh local seafood and best Orkney beef are served daily in the lounge bar/restaurant.

Some regard breakfast as the most important meal of the day. Here at the West End Hotel, we agree with that philosophy and our breakfast room provides a full breakfast to fortify you for the day ahead.

Hotel Tariff
Twin or Double Room - £29.00 per person
Single Room - £42.00
All rooms have shower, toilet, direct-dial telephone and tea & coffee making facilities.
The above prices include bed, full breakfast and VAT at 17.5%

History

The impressive building which now forms the West End Hotel proudly boasts a history stretching back nearly two centuries. It was in 1824 that Captain William Richan of Rapness - needing a larger town house to accommodate the extravagant demands of his wife, Esther - built the mansion that is today the West End Hotel.

Mrs Richan's extravagance was legendary in Kirkwall. Hossack's book "Kirkwall in the Orkneys" tells the story: 'On a wager with a gentleman as to which should outdo the other in the expense of a breakfast, the lady placed a £50 banknote between two slices of bread and butter, and cutting this sandwich into little bits, proceeded to eat the whole lot.'

Her extravagance went far to bring about her husband's bankruptcy and Captain Richan - who left the Navy in some disgrace after being caught using HMS Norfolk to smuggle contraband tobacco to Orkney lairds - was in deep financial trouble when he died six years later in 1830, to be buried in St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall.

Captain Richan's trustees sold his house to local merchant James Shearer - and it may well have remained a merchant house but for the vision of another Orkney laird, John Balfour of Trenabie.In 1836, with the interest from £20,000 worth of Mexican government bonds, he set up a charitable trust for the founding of a hospital. In 1845, the trustees of the hospital fund bought the house from James Shearer, together with the two large gardens and blacksmith's shop on the west side of the street, for £450.

So, in October 1845, Orkney's first hospital was established in what is today the West End Hotel. Four doctors gave their services, on a rota basis, while a resident matron, a Mrs Dearness, was appointed at a salary of £4 per year. Her perks included as much coal as she could burn and as many vegetables from the garden as she could eat. The rules of the time pointed out that no smoking or gambling were allowed on the premises.

On October 6, 1845, the first patient, an Eday woman named Christie Irvine, was admitted. It signaled the start of more than 150 years of organised hospital services in Orkney as the hospital became what was perhaps Kirkwall's most valued public institution of the 19th century.

At first it was known simply as the Orkney Hospital, but in 1853 - in recognition of the contribution of the Balfour family - became the Balfour Hospital, a name which continues at Orkney's present day hospital in New Scapa Road, Kirkwall.

Over the next few years, surrounding areas of land were purchased - including the neighbouring cottage once owned by town gaoler, Robert Millar - and in 1888 a new fever hospital was built next door at what is now 20 Main Street, Kirkwall.

The exterior of today's West End Hotel is almost identical to its frontage in 1845, although the interior has obviously changed considerably. The West End served as a hospital well into the 20th century, although changing practices and increased demands eventually brought about its closure, and a replacement opened in 1927.

And so a new chapter began as the building then became an hotel, which has been in the Currie family for the past 50 years. And today the house, built in 1824, continues to serve the community, extending a warm welcome to Orcadians and visitors alike, as a modern and comfortable hotel.

Orkney can be reached in a wide variety of ways. Travelling by air is, of course, quick and convenient, but for those wishing a more leisurely journey, P & O Scottish Ferries operate a regular service from Scrabster, Aberdeen and Shetland. If you wish to make the most of the scenic views, travelling by car or by rail are both excellent ways in which you can make your journey to Orkney into an enjoyable part of your holiday.

We recommend you visit the website of local travel agent, Ridgway Travel, in order to assist in the planning of your journey and to ensure you receive details of the latest available special offers and price reductions.

The West End Hotel is situated in a quiet side street, within five minutes walk of the historic city centre.

Starters

Soup of the Day
Served with a freshly baked roll
Japanese Prawns served with Garlic Dip
Prawn Cocktail
Calamari Rings with Lemon Mayonnaise
Duck & Pork Liver Pate drizzled with Walnut Dressing
and served with Oatcakes
Breaded Mushrooms with Garlic Sauce
Mini Vegetable Spring Rolls
served with Side Salad & Garlic Mayonnaise Dip
Deep Fried Orkney Cheese with Malibu & Apricot Sauce

Main Course

8oz Fillet Steak Garni
Served with Onion Rings, Tomato & Mushrooms

8oz Sirloin Steak Garni
Served with Onion Rings, Tomato & Mushrooms

8oz Balfour Steak
Grilled Fillet Steak filled with Smoked Cheese,
wrapped in Bacon & served with Madeira Sauce

8oz Highland Steak
Sirloin Steak topped with Haggis & Sautéed Onions
with a Whisky Sauce

Orkney Lamb
Mustard Crusted Orkney Lamb served with
a Brown Onion Sauce

West End Chicken
Chicken Breast filled with Cream Cheese & Rosemary
with a White Wine Sauce

Medallions of Pork
Pan fried Pork Loin with a light Mustard Sauce
served on a Bed of Crispy Noodles

Beef Olives
Orkney Beef filled with Oatmeal & Mushroom Stuffing
with a Red Wine Sauce

Monkfish wrapped in Bacon & served
on a Champagne Sauce

Vegetable Stroganoff served on a Crispy Bed ofDeep Fried Noodles

Chicken Curry
Chefs Hot, Sweet & Spicy Chicken Curry served
with Rice & Puppodum

Fresh Fillet of Haddock
in a Choice of Breadcrumbs or Batter

Deep Fried Breaded Scampi

Ham & Melon Salad

Orkney Crab Salad

Prawn Marie Rose Salad

All meals are Served with French Fries or New Potatoes with Chefs Choice of Vegetables.

To complete your meal, a fine selection of deserts are also served.

The availability of any of the dishes shown cannot be guaranteed, owing to changes of fresh seasonal produce, etc.All prices include VAT at 17.5%