Stromness guide

Find Businesses and Services in Stromness, Scotland

Please select your preferred Industry

There's nowhere quite like Stromness. It stretches for over a mile along the shore of Hamnavoe, an inlet of Scapa Flow sheltered by the islands of Outer Holm and Inner Holm. Yet the core of the town is just one main street that twists and turns narrowly between the shoreline and the hillside behind. This main street goes under at least five different names as it makes its was through Stromness. It is intersected by streets that on one side climb steeply up Brinkles Brae, the 300ft granite ridge that lies behind the town. On the seaward side they make their way between close-packed building to the private wharves that seem to lie behind every house and shop. In 1814 Sir Walter Scott complained that the town couldn't be traversed in a cart or on a horse because of steps built into the main street. The steps may have gone, but catch Stromness on a quiet day and you could feel that little else has changed. In more recent times the town has grown further up Brinkles Brae, and it has also extended further to the north. This has brought benefits, especially in the form of an alternative higher level road that allows most traffic to avoid the main street. The name Stromness comes from the Norse Straumrnes, or point of land by Hoy Sound: though it is probable that the natural harbour here was used by the Picts before the Vikings arrived.

By the 1300s the name was recorded as Strumnay, and "Stromness" first appears in records in 1544. Stromness was still a very small village of just 13 houses when in 1670 it was chosen by the Hudson's Bay Company as the first and last port of call for their ships en route to and from Canada. This led to a boom that marks the real start of the town of Stromness you see today. By 1794 it had grown to a settlement of 222 houses, of which 130 had slate roofs, a sure sign of wealth. Stromness is today a bustling and charming town. It retains its remarkable main street in which pedestrians have to dodge cars, and cars one another. And there are few places that so amply reward exploration. The narrow passages and roads and the private wharves on the shore side are fascinating, as is the network of steep streets and paths lead up the hillside. One of the streets climbing Brinkles Brae between high walls rejoices in the name of the Khyber Pass. This is either a descriptive joke that stuck, or a celebration of Empire: take your pick.


Latest Tweets featuring Stromness

  • NLFerries

    Updated on Wednesday 30th May 10:54 M.V. Hamnavoe Departed Stromness at 10:54 to arrive in Scrabster at 12:30 Th... http://t.co/j1NM0EaT

    Today, 12:44

  • KayNoolands

    Byebye stromness:'(.

    Today, 11:56

  • NLFerries

    Updated on Wednesday 30th May 10:10 M.V. Hamnavoe arrived in Stromness at 10:10 The next scheduled sailing will ... http://t.co/j1NM0EaT

    Today, 11:40

  • KayNoolands

    I love being in stromness><!

    Today, 10:45

  • DundeePoet

    @_pinklove_ The Cundeez rippin shit up in Stromness, island o Orkney! Great weekend 😃 http://t.co/7wHQMDsc

    Today, 10:41

  • aorkwa

    There will be no 11:00 sailing from Stromness (only 06:30 and 16:45) and no 13:15 sailing from Scrabster (only 08:45 and 19:00).

    Today, 10:07

  • NLFerries

    Updated on Wednesday 30th May 08:45 M.V. Hamnavoe Departed Scrabster at 08:45 to arrive in Stromness at 10:15 Th... http://t.co/j1NM0EaT

    Today, 10:07

  • aorkwa

    Serco's 1st act as Northern Isles ferry operator (takes over on 5/7): reduce Stromness-Scrabster ferries to twice a day for most of the year

    Today, 10:04

  • NLFerries

    Updated on Wednesday 30th May 06:30 M.V. Hamnavoe Departed Stromness at 06:25 to arrive in Scrabster at 08:00 Th... http://t.co/j1NM0EaT

    Today, 08:01

  • NLFerries

    Updated on Wednesday 30th May 05:08 M.V. Hamnavoe Is presently berthed in Stromness. The next scheduled sailing ... http://t.co/j1NM0EaT

    Today, 06:26

  • CharlieSlang

    RT @DundeePoet: @CharlieSlang Rippin shit up with @TheCundeez in Stromness, Orkney! http://t.co/wyxivaQP

    Today, 02:09

  • caritchie

    Brilliant. "*Free delivery in Orkney only, excludes Mainland UK" RT @OrkneyLibrary: Stromness Library: Free Delivery* http://t.co/DR019I0L

    Today, 01:03

  • OrkneyLibrary

    Stromness Library: Free Delivery* http://t.co/Ppuyd0yF

    Today, 00:50

  • neilmoir

    Had a fantastic day touring #Orkney today: Birsay, Skaill, Brodgar, Stromness and, of course, Twatt. Away to Kirkwall the morn.

    Today, 00:06

  • NLFerries

    Updated on Tuesday 29th May at 20:19 M.V. Hamnavoe Arrived in Stromness at 20:19 The next scheduled sailing will... http://t.co/j1NM0EaT

    Yesterday, 22:42

Featured Businesses and Services in Stromness

Other Businesses and Services in Stromness

  • Thira Bed and Breakfast (2009-10-20)

    Located in Stromness, Orkney, Scotland, United Kingdom

    Thira Bed and Breakfast

    Thira Bed and Breakfast is close to the town of Stromness, located seven miles from sites such as the Ring of Brodgar, Skara Brae and Maes Howe. Thira Bed and Breakfast in Stromness offers comfortable en-suite accommodation. We have 1 double room, 1 twin and 2 singles.

    read more »
  • Stromness Hotel (2009-10-20)

    Located in Stromness, Orkney, Scotland, United Kingdom

    Stromness Hotel

    The Stromness Hotel offers comfortable rooms overlooking the picturesque harbour of Stromness historic seaport. The Stromness Hotel, a historic 42 bedroomed hotel also offer the Still Room with a choice of over one hundred malt whiskies and Orkney ales in the traditional Flattie Bar and Hamnavoe Lounge Bar as well as caters for weddings, parties and functions for up to 120 guests in Stromness.

    read more »
  • The Ferry Inn (2009-10-20)

    Located in Stromness, Orkney, Scotland, United Kingdom

    The Ferry Inn

    The Ferry Inn is situated centrally by the harbour area of the picturesque town of Stromness and offers 12 bedrooms, an on site restaurant and bar. The Ferry Inn' s bar serves Highland Park whiskey, an excellent local single malt and beers from the acclaimed local brewery in Stromness.

    read more »
  • Mill of Eyrland Bed and Breakfast (2009-10-20)

    Located in Stromness, Orkney, Scotland, United Kingdom

    Mill of Eyrland Bed and Breakfast

    Mill of Eyrland Bed and Breakfast invites you to come and stay at a beautifully converted mill guest accommodation in Stromness. Mill of Eyrland Bed and Breakfast situated in lovely gardens, offers family rooms, double rooms and single rooms, all en-suites. The B&B offer Long stay discounts, Private parking, Laundry facilities to guests visiting Stromness.

    read more »
  • Asgard Bed and Breakfast (2009-10-20)

    Located in Stromness, Orkney, Scotland, United Kingdom

    Asgard Bed and Breakfast

    Asgard Bed & Breakfast in Stromness on the Orkney Islands has two Double Rooms and two Twin rooms, all of which are en-suite. Cuddle up in perfect luxury - dressing gowns and a glass of wine is provided in every room at Asgard Bed and Breakfast in Stromness. Facilities for people with disabilities available too.

    read more »
  • Stromness Golf Club

    Located in Stromness, Orkney, Scotland, United Kingdom

    Stromness Golf Club

    Welcome to Stromness Golf Club One of the many benefits of playing golf in Orkney is that 'joy' of having to arrive at the Stromness Golf Club at 6.30am to ...

    read more »

Do you have, or know of, a company or business that operates in Stromness?

Click here to register and add the company!

Write a blog post about Stromness

Add a Business to Stromness

Map of Stromness

Stromness Webcams