Report highlights ‘Weeping Window’ benefit for Orkney

Around 9,000 people visited Kirkwall last year specifically to see the Weeping Window poppy display at St Magnus Cathedral.

That’s according to a report from 14-18 NOW, the UK’s official arts programme for the First World War centenary.

During the time the sculpture was in Orkney, there were a total of 43,446 visits to the cathedral at an average of 7,241 visits a week.

The final nine days alone attracted 14,404 visits.

The report estimates that the poppies – which were on display from April 22 until June 12, 2016 – generated around £2m additional spend for the Orkney economy.

The report also concludes that visitors were motivated by both the historical and artistic elements of the work.

Nearly a third visited to commemorate and learn more about the First World War, whilst over half of those who visited did so because they considered it a major exhibition happening in the county.