Stromness

infobox UK place
country = Scotland
official_name= Stromness
population = 2200 (approx.)
os_grid_reference= HY2509
latitude= 58.96
longitude= -3.3
unitary_scotland= Orkney Islands
lieutenancy_scotland= Orkney Islands
constituency_westminster= Orkney and Shetland
constituency_scottish_parliament= Orkney
post_town= STROMNESS
postcode_district = KW16
postcode_area= KW
dial_code= 01856
static_

static_image_caption=A view of Stromness

Stromness /ˈstrɔmnəs/ is the second-largest town in the Orkney Islands, Scotland, and is located in the south-west of the mainland of Orkney. It is also a parish, with the town of Stromness as its capital.The name Stromness is derived from the Viking language. Strom refers to the strong tides that rip past the Point of Ness to the south of the town, literally 'strong tide point'. In Viking times Stromness was called Hamnavoe, meaning 'peaceful or safe harbour'.

Town

A long-established seaport, it has a population of approximately 2,200 residents. The old town is clustered along the main street, flanked with houses and shops built from local stone, with narrow lanes and alleys branching off it. There is a ferry link from Stromness to Scrabster on the north coast of mainland Scotland.

First recorded as the site of an inn in the 16th century, Stromness became important during the late 17th century, when England was at war with France and shipping was forced to avoid the English Channel. Ships of the Hudson's Bay Company were regular visitors, as were whaling fleets. Stromness Museum reflects these aspects of the town's history.

Writer George Mackay Brown was born and lived most of his life in the town.

Stromness is referenced in the title of Sir Peter Maxwell Davies's popular piano piece "Farewell to Stromness", a piano interlude from The Yellow Cake Revue, first performed on 21 June 1980 at the Stromness Hotel by the composer as part of the St. Magnus Festival.

Parish

The parish of Stromness comprehends the Isle of Hoy and a tract of about 5 miles by 3¾ on Mainland. The main part is bounded on the west by the Atlantic, on the south and the south-east by Hoy Sound, on the north-east by the Loch of Stenness.

Antiquities include Breckness House, erected in 1633 by the last bishop of Orkney at the west entrance of Hoy Sound; and an ancient cemetery, with ruined church, and remains of a monastery between Breckness House and Stromness town.

Geology

It presents to the Atlantic a range of cliffs from 100-500 ft high, to Hoy Sound a band of fertile lowlands; and it elsewhere consists mainly of bleak, sterile heights. The rocks possess great geological interest, and were made well-known by the publication of Hugh Miller, "Asterolepsis of Stromness".

References

* The section on the parish and its geology incorporates text from the following out-of-copyright book: Wilson, Rev. John "The Gazetteer of Scotland" (Edinburgh, 1882) Published by W. & A.K. Johnstone

External links

* [http://www.hafnavagr.demon.co.uk/ispy.htm Stromness Harbour webcam]
* [http://www.scbf.co.uk/museum.html Stromness Museum]
* [http://www.orkneycommunities.co.uk/imagelibrary/results.asp?Start=0&Offset=20&searchterm=stromness Stromness pictures from www.orkneycommunities.co.uk]
* [http://www.stv.tv/content/sport/exclusive/display.html?id=opencms:/sport/exclusive/Orkney_feature_190607 Ballantine's Midnight Cup at Stromness Golf Club] , stv feature, 19 June 2007.
* [http://www.stromnesspipeband.co.uk Stromness Royal British Legion Pipe Band]