A location and parish on the Mainland of Orkney overlooking Scapa Flow associated with the Norse crusader Earl Haakon Paulsson who died in 1122 and who had a seat here. The remains of Scotland's only circular mediaeval church survive. Dating from the 12th Century, it derives its shape from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem which was visited by Earl Haakon. Excavated remains close to the church may be the remains of the Earl's residence or Bu which is described in the Orkneyinga Saga as standing next to the church. Orkney's Norse heritage is featured in The Orkneyinga Saga Centre. The parish of Orphir and Stenness has a population of 875.
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