What not to miss in Stronsay

Stronsay is a place that has all of the above and a lot more besides. We’ve picked out some of our favourite things to do during a trip to this peaceful island.

Orkney has hundreds of miles of coastline to explore, but Stronsay has one of the most spectacular stretches in the isles. A gentle stroll on the east coast leads you to the Vat of Kirbister, a stunning natural rock arch. Wildflowers are abundant in the summer, with seabirds swooping through the delicate arch. In the winter it can be a wild place, with waves crashing into the cauldron below. If you’re feeling fit, you can tackle our Vat of Kirbister walking route that continues along the coast to Lamb Head. The going does get slightly more challenging, but it’s a beautiful part of the world.

Stronsay is known as Orkney’s ‘island of bays’, and it’s a well-earned title. It boasts some of the best beaches in Orkney, with the white sands and shallow turquoise waters of St Catherine’s Bay, Mill Bay, and the Sands of Rothiesholm all worth a visit. There’s a good chance you’ll have these beaches to yourself, so it’s the perfect opportunity to sit back and enjoy the peace and quiet of island life.

For a relatively small island, Stronsay boasts some very talented residents. Three local makers are more than happy to welcome visitors into their studios to showcase their wares and to chat about their work. Marion Miller creates stunning handmade jewellery inspired by Stronsay and island beach walks. Hazel Shearer is the creative mind behind Airy Fairy, designing and handmaking quilts, cushion covers, clothes, and more. Nearby, Simone Kirk at Star Island Soap sells hand-cut soaps and hand balms in a wide range of scents, using paraben-free and naturally-sourced ingredients. She’s also a dab hand at weaving and spinning, often working with local and North Ronaldsay wool. If you’re planning to pop past these makers, do contact them first to make sure they’re home.

People from around the world can trace their family roots back to Orkney, with folk often making a pilgrimage ‘home’ to see where their ancestors lived and worked. Stronsay is no different and the island’s heritage centre is the perfect place to stop and look back at the fascinating history of this community. It's full of artefacts and resources, including photo albums, charts, lists, magazines, and articles, to help you find out more about the island and your own ancestry. You’ll find the heritage centre at the west end of Whitehall, Stronsay’s village. It’s quiet now but it used to be one of Scotland’s busiest herring ports. You can see pictures from this colourful time in the nearby Fish Mart Café.