STROMNESS
Stromness is the perfect base for your Orkney holiday. You are surrounded by sea, sky and warm friendly folk.
The old town of Stromness is clustered along the characterful and winding main street, flanked with houses and shops built from local stone, with narrow lanes and alleys branching off it.
Stromness today it is still an artistic and cultural hub with the world-renowned Pier Arts Centre. Local art and craft artisans work in their shops along the street, and Stromness was the home of the poet George McKay Brown and the inspiration for much of his writing, especially the famous poem “Hamnavoe”. Peter Maxwell Davies, late Master of the Queen’s Music composed the haunting “Farewell to Stromness”.
It has a rich history as a port for herring fishermen, whalers and ships of the Hudson’s Bay Company with many Orkneymen becoming seamen and explorers. You can spend days in the fascinating Stromness Museum looking and learning about these exotic travels and contact with the Inuit. See if you can spot the pieces of whalebone that decorate some of the houses still.
The fabulous new library sits in the newly renovated harbour area where you can watch the bustling comings and goings of the sea traffic while enjoying a drink at the Ferry Inn or a meal at Julia’s Bistro.
For the energetic there is a well equipped gym and swimming pool which welcomes temporary members. The 18 hole links are a delight with views across to Hoy and Stromness Golf Club extends a warm welcome to visitors.
Stromness is the main centre for scuba diving among the wrecks of the scuttled German WW1 fleet in Scapa Flow. Sea fishing trips, angling in the lochs, guided walking tours, seal watching, puffin spotting, twitching and swimming are all options.
Visit the Stromness Website to find out more about this wonderful town.