Making the most of Stromness Orkney Scotland
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
The dock is right in the town center,
Printable map to take along.
The second largest town in the Orkney Islands, Stromness is situated in the south-west of the mainland of Orkney, Scotland.
Stromness is compact town and a walk along the main street is never less than pleasant.
Nearby places
Skara Brae, Skail, Buses from Stromness and Kirkwall in Summer. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Skara Brae is Orkney's premier tourist sight. Dating from about 2500BC, it was a prehistoric village covered by sand dunes, until a wild storm in 1850. A series of connecting passages and round dwellings were uncovered, complete with stone dressers and implements. There is a good visitors center and cafe as well as the adjoining Skail House - a 17th century country house. Entrance £6.50.
Money
The currency throughout the UK is the pound (£). You may also hear the slang term quid for pounds. Scottish bank notes are frowned upon in other parts of the UK, so change the notes before leaving Scotland.
Cash machines (ATM) or less formally 'holes in the wall' are very widely available and usually dispense £10 and £20 notes.
Visa, Mastercard and Maestro, are accepted by most shops and restaurants.
Staying connected
English is spoken throughout the country, but sometimes with heavy accents!
There is free wifi at the Library and Archive, Julia's Cafe, The Ferry Inn, Stromness Hotel and the Royal Hotel.
The local emergency telephone number is 999, however the EU-wide 112 can also be used.
Opening Hours and
Shopping hours are in general:
Small stores 6 or 7 days a week (10am - 6pm) Larger stores in general stay open til' 9PM Hyper marts often 24/7