Stromness has to be one of the most enchanting ports at which to arrive by boat, its picturesque waterfront a procession of tiny sandstone jetties and slate roofs nestling below the green hill of Brinkies Brae. Its natural sheltered harbour (known as Hamnavoe) must have been used in Viking times, but the town itself only really took off in the eighteenth century.
The old town of Stromness still hugs the shoreline, its one and only street, a narrow winding affair, built long before the advent of the motor car, still paved with great flagstones and fed by a tight network of alleyways or closes. The central section, which begins at the Stromness Hotel, is known as Victoria Street. On the east side of the street the houses are gable-end-on to the waterfront, and originally each one would have had its own pier, from which merchants would trade with passing ships.
Transportation in Stromness
By Car: Stromness is 16 miles from Kirkwall, 9 miles from Finstown and 19 miles from Kirkwall Airport.
By Bus: There are several buses daily (except Sundays) from Kirkwall to Stromness. There is also a bus from Stromness to Birsay running on Mondays only.
By Ferry: The Stromness to Scrabster Ferry provided by Northlink makes up to 3 ferry crossings a day with a sailing duration of 90 mins.
The Stromness Museum has displays on Orkney Maritime and natural history, including the German Fleet in Scapa Flow, the Hudson's Bay Company, Arctic whaling, the sea captain's parlour, Orkney birds, eggs and butterflies. The Stromness Museum is open all year. The Pier Arts Centre is a Modern Art Gallery housed in an 18th century restored building. In addition to the permanent collection, there are a variety of exhibitions throughout the year. The Pier Arts Centre is open all year. Wildabout Orkney offer historical tours about Orkney.
