Are you looking for a Christmas gift with a difference?

Do you know someone who would enjoy exploring the hidden upper levels of St Magnus Cathedral, unlocking the secrets of one of Orkney’s most revered buildings?

Well look no further, for we have gift vouchers available for the Upper Level Tour of the Cathedral – a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the sandstone building.

The guided tour with our knowledgeable custodians – who recently received the accolade for the best welcome in Scotland - gives visitors a chance to walk up the narrow, spiral, stone staircases where you will see galleries and collections of artefacts, the clock mechanism, the huge bells and the base of the spire, before getting the chance to soak up the stunning views over Kirkwall.

They cost £9.60 per person and can be purchased from the custodians in the Cathedral during opening hours (Monday-Saturday 0900-1300 and 1400-1700).

Participants must be 12 years or over, and under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.

If you are looking for a special stocking filler, the neighbouring St Magnus Centre runs a souvenir shop, open Monday-Friday, 0900-1200, with books, jewellery, cards, key rings, and water bottles among the goodies on offer.

Or take a wander just across the road to The Orkney Museum, (Tankerness House) where the policy is to stock things that relate to their collection or that reflect past times in Orkney. It is a source of unusual and unique gifts, ideal for a loved one, or to help fill up that Christmas stocking.

There are traditional toys and games to delight the bairns - who could resist a cuddle selkie or puffin? There’s a large selection of books on Scapa Flow and naval history, as well as many other history books and traditional Orkney folk tales created for the museum by Tom Muir and illustrated by the late Bridget Woodford. Local jewellery and crafts, like a carved wooden ball, bowl and macehead based on Neolithic artefacts, and carved stone spindle-whorls are also available. The unique Orkney Museum tote bag has the Scar Plaque from the Viking Age boat burial in Sanday and there’s traditional recipe books and tea towels or a Scar Plaque mug. There’s really too much to mention here so please pop along and have a look.

The Orkney Museum opening hours are Monday-Saturday, 10.30-12.30, 13.30-1700.