Stromness is a place shaped by the sea. Old stone houses are huddled along its sheltered harbour, with a tumbling network of flagstone streets, lanes, piers, and slipways lending a timeless feel to this unique town.
About Stromness
The maritime heritage of Stromness is the thread that runs right through the town’s story. A safe haven in Viking times and a final stop for ships of the Hudson’s Bay Company, it’s now the heart of Orkney’s dive industry, a ferry gateway to Scotland, and the home of the pioneering renewable energy industry in the islands.
The harbour is the heart of the town, but elsewhere you’ll discover independent shops, studios, and galleries, as well as the world-renowned Pier Arts Centre. The best way to see Stromness is to simply take a stroll through the street as it runs from north to south, exploring all the nooks and crannies you can find.
The place comes alive in May thanks to the Orkney Folk Festival, with pubs and venues full of live music, and Stromness Shopping Week in July celebrates everything the town has to offer.
Useful information
- Getting around
Stromness is a town perfect for exploring by foot. A walk from the pierhead to the Point of Ness at the south end of the street will take around half an hour. Bear in mind that the narrow main street, which, like Kirkwall, has four different names as it meanders through the town, is open to traffic so do take care and move aside if needed.
The X1 bus service that links Stromness with Kirkwall and St Margaret’s Hope arrives and departs from the Stromness Travel Centre, which is also the NorthLink Ferries terminal building. Bus services to the Houton Ferry Terminal (for sailings to Hoy and Flotta) and Skara Brae are also available from Stromness.
Passenger-only sailings to Graemsay and Moaness in Hoy with Orkney Ferries depart from Stromness daily.
Cycle hire is available from Orkney Cycle Hire and should be booked as early as possible.
Stromness also has excellent marina facilities - visit the Orkney Marinas website for more information.
- Shopping
There are a wide range of shops in Stromness selling everything from local artwork to the finest food and drink.
Most of the independent stores can be found between John Street and Dundas Street, with plenty of galleries and local craft shops to browse. There’s even a vintage paper shop, a well-stocked dive shop housed in the town’s former lifeboat shed, and the tiny Stromness Books & Prints, famously filled with all kinds of books and publications.
For foodies, make sure to visit E. Flett Butcher for the very best in Orkney produce, the Bayleaf Deli for a wide range of delicious goodies, and Argo’s Bakery for local bread, bakes, and more. There’s a Co-op Food Supermarket on Ferry Road, too.
- Fuel
Fuel is available at the North End Garage on North End Road close to the town’s primary school.
- Public toilets
There are public toilets available at:
- Ferry Road: one ladies’ toilet, one gents’ toilet and an accessible toilet (Radar key needed)
- Stromness Travel Centre: one gents' toilet, one ladies' toilet, one accessible toilet and one shower room
- Stromness Pier Head: one ladies’ toilet, one gents’ toilet and an accessible toilet
- Warebeth/Stromness Cemetery: one gents' toilet, one ladies' toilet and an accessible toilet (Radar key needed)
Stromness is Orkney's second largest settlement so you’ll find plenty of things to see and do.
You can explore its fascinating maritime history and see stunning pieces by talented local artists, or simply take a walk through the street and view the array of blue plaques telling tales of Stromness people and places from the past.
Keep reading to discover some of the town’s best locations, and find out where you can get a taste of Orkney too.
Find your perfect home from home in Stromness.
