Stromness

Stromness sits on the west coast of the Mainland in the Orkney Islands, centred on a long, sheltered harbour that looks across to Hoy and the approaches to Scapa Flow. Its compact streets and stone houses reflect a strong maritime past - from 19th‑century whaling and Arctic voyages to the First and Second World War naval story associated with Scapa Flow.

Today Stromness is the archipelago’s second town after Kirkwall, combining a working fishing port with tourism, galleries, craft shops and the local museum; ferries and services keep it linked to the rest of Scotland, while nearby landmarks such as the Old Man of Hoy and a lively Orcadian cultural scene draw visitors and underpin community life.