Stromness: Harbour, Culture and Maritime History

Stromness is shaped by a sheltered harbour, old stone houses and a network of cobbled streets, lanes, piers and slipways. Art, local maritime history and activities on land and water offer different starting points for planning your trip. You can explore Stromness based on whether you are more interested in exhibitions, historic sites, a walk or a specific activity.

Maritime History and Historic Sites

Stromness was a final port of call for ships of the Hudson’s Bay Company. For more than 200 years, Login’s Well provided these ships with their last supplies of water. Together, these facts show two sides of the town’s maritime history: its role as a port of call and the well’s function in supplying water. The Stromness Museum was founded in 1837; this founding year provides a specific point of reference for the town’s history.

On a tour of Ness Battery, visitors enter a gun emplacement. The tour ends in the mess hall, which features a painted mural. Guided tours are available; check current tour times before your visit.

Art, Exhibitions and Events

The Pier Arts Centre in Stromness houses a permanent collection and stages exhibitions and events throughout the year. Admission is free. The Centre is open year-round, Tuesday to Saturday, from 10:30 am to 5:00 pm; check visitor information before you travel. As the exhibition and events programme changes, distinguish the permanent collection from the events and exhibitions that vary over time.

Stromness Shopping Week is a week-long festival held every year in the third week of July. Exact dates may vary. Check the dates for the year of your stay before planning your trip around the festival.

Walks and Nature Nearby

The walk from the Pierhead to the Point of Ness at the southern end of the road takes about half an hour. Treat this as an approximate time, as walking conditions may vary. Warebeth Beach is near Stromness. Among the wildlife you may spot there are oystercatchers, ringed plovers, eider ducks and seals; the beach also offers views of the Hoy Hills.

Cycling, Diving and Getting There

The Burwick–Kirkwall–Stromness route is part of the North Sea Cycle Route. The M.V. Invincible takes divers from Stromness Harbour to the wrecks in Scapa Flow. For cycling, Stromness is part of a named route; for diving, the focus is on trips from the harbour to the wrecks. If either activity is important to your trip, check the route or the provider’s current operating and booking information in advance.

Bus route X1 connects Stromness with Kirkwall and St Margaret’s Hope. As bus services may change, check the latest bus travel information before your trip. The ferry crossing from Stromness takes 90 minutes and passes the distinctive Old Man of Hoy. Check the ferry’s current sailing times when planning your trip.

Discover more destinations: Orphir, Tingwall, Hackness, Finstown, Burray Village, Kirkwall, Orkney, Westray.

For the broader travel overview: Orkney Islands.