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Pro
Wonderful views, food, people, atmosphere.
Con
Weather always a factor. Be prepared.
In a nutshell
The perfect introduction to Orkney...a magical land.
Dive the German High Sea Fleet Wrecks
adelinemmc Says: At the bottom of Scapa flow lies the many ships of the German navy scuttled in June 1919. Some were salvaged but many are still down there. Also worth a visit are the block ships in Burra Sound. These are shallower and make perfect second dives.German ships: the Brummer, the...
See Layers of Villages in Orkney
hongkong88 Says: Skara Brae is actually multiple villages built on the same site over the centuries. It was fascinating. The day we visited it was blustery with rain showers which I gather is pretty much any day in Orkney. The weather just added to the atmosphere. You can't enter the ancient...
iaint Says: Go to the north coast of the West Mainland to see this site.Brochs are unique to Scotland, and this is one of the best preserved. They are tall circular dwellings, and in Orkney, surrounded by a village. This one probably began in 200-500BC, and ceased being used as such...
iaint Says: To get to this site, you drive as far as you can go on the mainland towards the north west. Then you walk across the beach from the car park to the island - only accessible for 2 hours either side of low tide (ie 4 hours in total each day). Check the tide times before you...
iaint Says: I'd been past this place a couple of times in the evening, and vowed to return during opening hours...So glad I did. Amazing place to find in a community so small and remote. Saw Barbara Hepworth & Eduardo Paolozzi stuff...It's free - so don't miss out! Look at the website...
iaint Says: "The monumental chambered tomb of Maeshowe is simply the finest Neolithic building in NW Europe. Built around 5,000 years ago, it is a masterpiece of Neolithic design and stonework construction..."The text is from Historic Scotland's website (see below) and sums it up better...
iaint Says: This is the preserved remains of a Neolithic settlement from 3000BC. Older than the Pyramids...It was uncovered by a huge storm in 1850, having been buried by the sand at some stage after it was abandoned.It is fascinating to see how they lived, and the (relative) degree of...
iaint Says: Orkney is rich in historic sites of various types. Standing stones like these are pretty common, but are spectacular.From memory they are Neolithic, and around 5,400 years old. Think about it....They are the oldest such stones in the UK.The site is run by Historic Scotland,...
See Stromness On A Wild Winters Night!
scotlandscotour Says: To really get a sense of the energy and mood of Orkney life, spend a night there in the midst of a howling winter storm!!!I guess you have read my Orkney introduction and my Stromness pages ...So my tip is to ignore the tourism season and come in winter. Sure, the daylight...
Asa111 Says: As soon as you enter Hamnavoe and catch sight of the town from the Scrabster ferry you will realize you have been transported. Just take a walk anywhere through Stromness and you are back in the era of the great sailing ships. Narrow winding streets abound. Keep an eye and...
iaint Says: The owner of my B&B directed me here. Not the most enticing place as you go in, but worked out very well. I was very hungry - sea air, ferry crossing, a long day - and the service was fast & friendly.The food was good, and the price was fair.I had crab, followed by scallops....
Café Bar Stromness: Nice little café
Steph84 Says: The sign above the door seems more like a description than a name :-) Still, this is a cosy little café right around the corner from the harbour at the beginning of the "busy" high street of Stromness. It has a great range of hot and cold snacks, beverages and cakes...
scotlandscotour Says: Everyone is in here waiting for the ferry!Young staff and mix of customers.Internet access (one). Good food and great ambiance.I think it is getting too popular now.Prices seem to be rising, so less impressed on my latest visit.I would still recommend it though.
iaint Says: I used this service, which runs from Gills Bay (in Caithness, near John O'Groats) to St Margaret's Hope (on South Ronaldsay). Takes an hour exactly. Cost £80 return for 1 person in an Audi A3.It was on time on the way over - a calm sunny day, and perfect for the sail. The...
chichino1 Says: The bus service is in frequent but well worth going as Kirkwall is a masterpiece capital; in waiting filled with history while Stromness has an historical well where the Hudson Bay ships filled up before going to Canada.
Areas of Orkney contain some of the most spectacular cliff in the world rising hundreds of feet above the pounding waves. Please be VERY CAREFUL when walking near them. The wind can gust with amazing speed and ferocity. More than one poor soul has been swept over the edge.
Written Jan 27, 2007
A term derogatively used to describe the growing band of wannabee islanders with their poems and tourist exploitation get rich quick schemes that somehow Orcadians are incapable of providing
Not held in high esteem and the butt of many subtle jokes.
Unique Suggestions: You don't have to. locals do know their island and are happy to share it with you for the time of day.
Updated Mar 29, 2008
yvgr Says: You can get to the North part of Hoy Island from Stromness. Just get to the Harbour and board the Graemsay Ferry. This is not a cargo ferry. If you wish to reach Hoy with car you need to board from Houton Bay (to Lyness).
Even the Beaten Path is worthwhile in Orkney
Asa111 Says: The enviroment and immediate surroundings of Stromness transported me into an entirely undiscovered and unexpected place. I had heard a bit, back in history classes, about standing stones in Orkney. Sounded like a cool thing to see. I like really old things and...
Helpfulness
See my things to do tip for more details.
Two dive operators shops in Stromness:
The Diving Cellar, 4 Victoria Street
Scapa Scuba, Lifeboat House
Equipment: Dry suits a must! You should not attempt to dive in Scapa without a dry suit or if you do not have previous experience of cold water diving to at least 35 metres.
Written Jul 13, 2009
Address: See above
I was smitten as soon as I stepped off of the ferry. There was a pipe band waiting and they blew Scotland the Brave as we disembarked. It was more than that, tho. The town has the feel of history, of...
Stromness - Orkney's Second Town But The Prettiest
Stromness is often the first place you see on Orkney - the main ferry from Scrabster (Thurso) comes in here. It's a really pretty setting in the sheltered harbour called Hamnavoe, obviously a prized...
This is the second-biggest town in Orkney, Scotland. It is in the south-west of Mainland Orkney. A long-established seaport, it has a population of approximately 2,190 residents. The old town is......
Well, in July '10 I finally made it to Orkney. In my defence, it is a 5.5 hour drive from home, followed by a 1 hour ferry trip. The plane would be a bit quicker, if it's non-stop. Stromness is to...
Build your own Stromness page
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