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3-Day Stromness Itinerary
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Wanderlog staff
Updated • updatedAug 20, 2025
Updated • updatedAug 20, 2025
Stromness in 3 days
If you only have 3 days to spend in Stromness, we’ve narrowed down the top places you should check out to get the best experience of your time here.
With favorites like Ness Battery, The Cannon, and The Hamnavoe Restaurant, we’ll make sure you don’t miss out on all the must sees. We even included some of our favorite food spots around the area, like Loki Seafood Shack and The Hamnavoe Restaurant so you can get the best taste of Stromness while you’re here. To see our full list of food recommendations, check out our best restaurants post. If you're traveling on a budget, you can check out our cheap eats post.
Looking for other day-by-day itineraries in Stromness?
Visiting Stromness? See our Stromness Trip Planner.
Feel free to follow our itinerary exactly or tailor it to your own needs — happy wandering!
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Table of contents
- Stromness in 3 days
- Most popular attractions
- South side of town
- Proximity is everything
Day 1
Most popular attractions
For day 1, we strategically grouped the most popular attraction, Stromness Museum, with surrounding point of interests to start your trip off with a bang. Combining the average time spent at each location and traveling time in between, it should fill up about 8 hours of your day.
1
•Henry ( — Google reviewAlison W — Google reviewJohn S — Google reviewD F — Google reviewVlad S — Google reviewMark M — Google reviewReg — Google review
Skara Brae Prehistoric Village
4.7
(2319)
4.8
(2298)
Sights & Landmarks
Ancient Ruins
Historic Sites
Skara Brae Prehistoric Village, located on Mainland, the largest island in Orkney, is a well-preserved Neolithic village dating back to roughly 3000BC. The site includes 8 ancient houses made entirely of stone and furnished with beds, dressers, and indoor heating areas. This UNESCO World Heritage Site also features the reconstructed house of Skara Brae and Maeshowe, a chambered burial tomb with Viking carvings.
Huge amount of archaeological interest. Well preserved and organised by Historic Scotland.. Well worth the effort. An excellent introductory film and thoughtful walk displays. You need to walk past the mock up of one of the village houses but do look as it’s really helpful to set the scene. A longish walk then to the site. Well preserved and signed. Worth the effort
Andrew C — Google review
Absolutely amazing. Very well preserved site in the prehistoric village which is right by the sea. Clearly have put a lot of effort into maintaining and preserving it. Also good cafe and shop. Ticket including Skaill House which is also very interesting. Plus we got free entry by English Heritage membership so made it even more worth it. September is a good time to visit as could definitely imagine it getting very busy in summer.
Fascinating and somewhat surreal to visit a human settlement that is almost as it was when the last inhabitants lived and loved there, over 5000 years ago.
At the museum, I was intrigued by the intricate pottery and stone carvings. Definitely not primal cave dwellers these.
Fantastic historical site! Stone age, oldest habitat for Neolithic man settlement in Europe. So much to explain on this site. If you are visiting the Oakney islands you must come over.
Incredible archaeological site on the doorstep of Skaill House. This fragile site has remarkable structures dating to 3100BCE. The on site reconstruction helps deepen our understanding of how the site was used when occupied. Information boards dotted throughout the site further add to understanding the site. Way too many people walking around ruins. Visitor information center was good too. 👍👍👍
I understand the historical aspect of this and its significance so I would encourage you to go see it. However it's really not that impressive in person so best to adjust your expectations. In the price of the ticket you'll also get access to Skaill House and we found that more interesting, so make sure you visit that as well.
We were very surprised however by the huge number of bunnies in the fields nearby - there must've been hundreds of them, so make sure to look for them while you're there.
An extraordinary grouping of late stone age dwellings set against the sea cliffs that have already swallowed up 2/3 of what once existed. A bit over developed compared to the other such sites but far more complete. As a bonus, the café provided the best bowl of Cullen Skink I've ever had.
We sometimes think of stoneaged people as unsofisticated but one look at the buildings here prove otherwise. Well thought-out plans obviously went into the construction of the village older than Stonehenge and the Pyramids at Giza. Amazing to think that only a chance event, such as a powerful storm, uncovered a site which had lain undiscovered for over three thousand years. Well worth the entrance fee. The guides at the site were extremely knowledgeable and brought the place to life with their explanations.
Sandwick, Stromness, KW16 3LR, United Kingdom•
6 min · 0.24 mi
2•Michael S — Google reviewJim L — Google reviewMichael M — Google reviewRamble T — Google reviewTork M — Google reviewJohn S — Google reviewDave H — Google review
Skaill House
4.6
(252)
4.1
(500)
Sights & Landmarks
Architectural Buildings
Skaill House is a 17th-century mansion located adjacent to the Skara Brae site in Orkney, Scotland. It was once the home of the local Laird who discovered Skara Brae. The house features an impressive collection of artifacts, including Captain Cook's dinner service. Visitors can opt for an after-hours tour in the summer to explore the ancient buildings at Skara Brae more closely.
This place is located 5 minutes walk from the Skara Brae archaeological site. It was the home of the wealthy man on whose property the site the exists and who was credited with its discovery after a storm exposed it in the late 1800s. It is filled with comfortable furnishings, works of art and collectibles. Worth a visit. 👍👍👍
D F — Google review
I last visited this area some fifty years ago when my ship, the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Stromness, berthed at her namesake port in the Orkneys. This time, visiting on Fred Olsen's Balmoral, I achieved all that the £89 ship tour offered - and a lot more besides. I jumped aboard the X1 bus from Kirkwall which stops right outside the Visitor Centre and charges just £10 for a day ticket.
A lot has changed since I last visited. There's a £16 charge to enter Skara Brae and Skaill House, rules and regulations, concrete paths and an impressive building housing an exhibition, souvenir shop and an excellent cafe. Free wifi too. In the 1970's, you just walked onto the site - and Skaill House wasn't open to tourists at all.
The bonus for me was that I didn't even have to pay; as a senior member of English Heritage. Free entry is also granted to card carrying members of Historic Scotland.
The House is still owned by the family of the Laird who discovered the nearby Skara Brae and is a bit of a timewarp of the 1960's and seventies including an unbelievably awful - by modern standards - pink bathroom - for the exclusive use of the lady of the house. My favourite bits were the library, the drawing room and the dining room.
It's a fairly standard bit of Scottish period architecture, but I doubt you'll linger more than an hour, even if you potter outside in the gardens.
Lovely historic home with friendly, helpful staff. It's a museum piece, not a hotel so I can't rate the rooms for living in, but the rooms are kitted out very well with all the garb of the time! 😎
Free admitance when you visit Scara Brae. Nicely restored by the current Earl. Never understood the connection between the house and Scara Brae untill I visited....no spoilers haha
Met Max here and he was our favourite host 🦴
Great old house, great rooms to visit, lots of exhibits, friendly helpful staff, well worth it
An interesting self guided tour of an 18th century orcadian mansion and the history of a local family which is part of the Skara Brae ticket
Historical home of Skaill family with gift shop. The family discovered the Skaue Brea Neolithic site.
I can't speak to it as a place to stay, as that's not why I visited. Ultimately it's a manor house with a lengthy history and unique setting set up as a museum -- not a place I would have stopped at if not at Skara Brae ... but I don't mind having visited, as the collections there are nice, and there's some very interesting bits of personal history (as well as background about the discovery of the neolithic village). Since I think it's all a single entry fee, I recommend taking the time.
Sandwick, Stromness, KW16 3LR, United Kingdom•
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Where
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Travelers
2
Travelers
2
15 min · 5 mi
3•Matías A — Google reviewK R — Google reviewJulia S — Google reviewPeter K — Google reviewMichael F — Google reviewRobert O — Google reviewGary F — Google review
Yesnaby
4.8
(620)
4.8
(353)
Vista point
Sights & Landmarks
Hiking area
Points of Interest & Landmarks
Yesnaby, located on the West coast, offers a captivating hiking and climbing experience across sandstone cliffs with stunning views over sea stacks, blowholes, and nesting puffins. The walk is relatively easy and provides opportunities to observe various bird species nesting in the vertical cliffs. Yesnaby Castle, a prominent sea stack, stands out as one of the highlights along the route.
Spectacular cliff with expansive view of the ocean. Medium challenge walk along the cliff.
Great visit for all to take in the view and enjoy the fresh air.
Credible C — Google review
Interesting rock formation on the cliffs. Easy path, not much difficulty. Great place to see the sunset. You can park next to the cliffs, plenty of space. I've found that this is one of the best accessible cliffs in mainland Orkney.
Stunning.
It is a nice little walk but would recommend sturdy shoes even in good weather.
There isn't a huge amount of parking but we had no problems.
There are no toilets or cafe etc there.
Not suitable for pushchairs /wheelchair
Magnificent walk along a fascinating coast. Parking easily available (head straight to coast and ignore right hand turn with signpost Yesnaby. That takes you to the farm not to the walk.
We couldn't visit the Old Man of Hoy, but a walk along the cliffs at Yesnaby led to these remarkable Stacks.
Towering cliffs, sea stack and Geo forms. Fascinating rock formation and varied strata make for an interesting walk. Coupled with lots of nesting seabirds this is a grand and sometimes noisy walk along the coastline.
Really great walk. Can be a bit wet in places so good footwear is a must but otherwise a relatively straightforward walk.
Weather in Orkney can change very dramatically in minutes so best to be prepared for bad weather.
Amazing seascape with lots of cliff views, sea stacks and bird life in the fields, on the cliff and in the sea.
Fantastic sea and cliff views. Unprotected access to several hundred feet high cliffs. Amazing views. Free and unsupervised. Small parking lot. Agility required.
Yesnaby Rd, Stromness, KW16 3LP, United Kingdom•
15 min · 6.3 mi
4•Hath A — Google reviewMark M — Google reviewPreston P — Google reviewHenry ( — Google reviewCarl F — Google reviewGabriella G — Google reviewReg — Google review
Ring of Brodgar
4.7
(2346)
4.6
(1471)
Historical landmark
Sights & Landmarks
Ancient Ruins
Historic Sites
Mysterious Sites
The Ring of Brodgar is a striking stone circle from the late Neolithic period, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Heart of Neolithic Orkney. The landscape surrounding it includes beautiful beaches and diverse wildlife, making it a unique destination. This mysterious circle of 27 standing stones predates Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids, leaving archaeologists puzzled about its exact purpose.
We decided to go there for a walk and I have to say it is a vary Impressive Neolithic structure with
Spectacular landscape. It was not very crowded in the morning, so If you're planning a visit, I would highly recommend going either early in the day or later in the evening to avoid the busier midday period, especially during tourist season. The stillness and calm of the site when it's less crowded really enhances the experience. A must-see for anyone visiting Orkney.
Gabriela M — Google review
This is the largest stone circle in Scotland. Incredible time and effort was spent on finding/cutting these stones then moving them ten miles or more, to be erected in a perfect circle. No writen records exist to describe the building process or the reason for creating them in the first place. There are theories as to the use.
Due to the number and dispersion through out the UK and Europe stone circles were very important to the peoples of that Era. Some four to six thousand or more years ago.
An extraordinary Neolithic site. A huge ring with many of the original immense stones still standing. Surrounded by a deep, wide henge (moat?) with beautiful purple Heather. Unlike the Stones of Stennis, a 20 minute walk away, you cannot enter the space inside the ring, only walk around it.
A must see! We weren't really looking forward to being in Kirkwall/Orkney for our cruise but heard about the Ring of Brodgar and said okay let's check it out. Took a taxi from Orkney and spent about an hour and a half which included getting there from Orkney walking around at the Ring leisurely and coming back to town. Overall so beautiful and a must see.
Definitely worth a visit to this beautiful stone circle. Stunning views and some interesting interpretation to read. It's about a 5 minute walk from the car park to site and free entry.
The stones are several and the scale of the circle produces a verisimilitude with which we can imagine neolithic ritual life. In peak tourist season there is a manned caravan-cum-informational display.
This site is easily accessible and large enough for a good walk around its concentric rings. The delicate island soil is subject to some grass-growing campaigns and the walkways, while slightly inclined and bumpy, are made accessible in varying conditions by a plastic mat incorporated into the sod.
I love Neolithic’s sites. This one has a bus stop on the 1X line - we went to Skara Brae first then this: but it’s an hour interval to the next bus so you might as well walk to the other ring and get picked up there if you are using the local transit buses.
A brilliant place to spend some time in order to soak up the atmosphere of a place which was obviously so special to our ancestors. Try to visit in the late afternoon when it's not so busy. Some recommened visiting at sunset if the weather permits.
B9055, Stromness, KW16 3JZ, United Kingdom•
10 min · 6.6 mi
5•Vlad S — Google reviewD F — Google reviewJames D — Google reviewSarah G — Google reviewAlexander D — Google reviewMarilyn L — Google reviewLexa M — Google review
Stromness Museum
4.6
(398)
4.4
(245)
Museum
Specialty Museums
Located on the waterfront at the south end of Stromness, Stromness Museum is a captivating gem filled with maritime history and artifacts. The museum showcases a wide array of exhibits including whaling history, artefacts from Scapa Flow during World Wars I and II, stories about arctic explorers, sea chests, ship models, and sea creatures. It also highlights the significance of Stromness as a sheltered port during troubled times in the English Channel.
Excellent museum with very interesting exhibits. Would recommend a few visits to go through all the info they have especially the WWII sections
The M — Google review
Initially we weren't sure whether to go in as it seemed small and unimpressive, but oh boy were we wrong! We ended up coming back to it after a few days as there was so much to see in it and they allow coming back as much as you want with the same tickets within a week. In the end we probably spent about 3 hours here.
They've really got everything you can think of here - from various artefacts from various ships sunken around Orkney, to green energy items, stuffed birds and even a necklace made out of human teeth! Alright, enough spoilers, just go in, you won't be disappointed.
This small museum is packed with interesting collections of natural and cultural historical objects. Plenty of information is on hand about Orkney, the local residents of Stromness and their interactions with the wider world. Featured are eclectic items collected over the past several centuries. Well worth a visit. 👍👍👍
I'm only posting one image as I cannot stress how amazing this museum is, and everyone should visit it if you are on the island. There is simply so much to learn about, and I highly reccommend reading the entire folder of the story of Eliza Fraser, checking out the 3D Lidar scans of HMS Royal Oak and some of the sunken German boats as well, and about the opening of the North West Passage as well as the most stunning collection of birds, shells and sealife. 10/10, I think £7.50 to get in is massively undervalued for how much information is on offer here!
The exhibits in this small museum are a very mixed bag. Quirky, if you're being kind; old-fashioned if you're not. There are some interesting artefacts, but it's a bit of a jumble of stuff without much explanation. Staff were nice and helpful, but whether you find the visit and entrance cost (£7.50 per person) worthwhile very much depends on your interests and tolerance for unhelpful/outdated info boards.
Very eclectic range of exhibits although the is a strong connection with the sea. I found it very interesting.
Lovely museum with lots of interesting information about Orkney, it's history and flora and the scuppering of German ships in World War 11
If you come to Orkney, you absolutely have to stop at this museum. It is shocking how much history has occurred in this unassuming place and they do a fantastic job walking you through the past events as well as deep dives into the lives of interesting historical figures.
52 Alfred St, Stromness, KW16 3DH, United Kingdom•
9 min · 0.45 mi
6Paul G — Google reviewJon S — Google reviewColin W — Google reviewオルカンシナンギン — Google reviewAmelia J — Google reviewHelen K — Google reviewAleksandra K — Google review
Point of Ness Caravan & Camping Site
4.5
(227)
Campground
RV park
Point of Ness Caravan & Camping Site is located at the southern tip of Stromness and serves as a popular camping spot during the summer months. The site offers stunning panoramic views of Stromness harbor, with dog waste bins and public toilets available for visitors' convenience. Positioned at the westerly entrance to Stromness, it provides breathtaking vistas across to Hoy Island and the lively waters of Hoy Sound.
This was our second stay here and we will be back. It's the most comfortable site we know of and the warm underfloor heating in individual bathrooms is simply wonderful. John, the warden, is a hard working, kind and generous host. Nothing is too much trouble.
The lounge has a kettle, microwave and TV plus games and books.
Everything is clean and cared for plus the position is tranquil and on the waters edge so you can watch the ferries coming and going.
We come here for the blues festival each year and we'll come back again soon just to explore more of these fantastic islands.
We can highly recommend this site.
Bridget G — Google review
Campsite in great location - walking distance into Stromness. Largely full of camper and, but some tent space in the middle. Good clean facilities. Pitches not very well marked so some confusion. Unfortunately the warden isn't on duty in the evening so we had a fair amount of noise from a big group.
I stayed here in my van for 2 nights during the Island games. The weather was brilliant. The site was spotless maintained, the toilets and showers plentiful, working well and clean too. John the warden was a very nice chap who gave me a thorough ru down of where everything was and was on hand if any is
sues. A great little common room with use of a kettle and microwave if required which was a great spot for socialising. Very well run and looked after site in a stunning location. I'd definitely go back.. Thanks
Basic but clean and tidy site, 16A Electric hook up, which is always good, hot powerful showers and toilets very clean, warm, and free to use. Grey water dump, chemical toilet disposal point, and fresh water tap all available near entry/exit gate. Only thing I would change, is the ability to book a pitch number. On arrival our allotted pitch was taken, so just we just chose another.
It would be better to not expect a particular pitch and to expect to have to visit the wardens notice board on arrival to locate your alloted pitch?
Nice and quiet camping spot at the southern end of Stromness town with a pretty view to the distant Highlands.
Spent a night here in my tent on my long distance cycle trip.
Facilities are tidy and in good condition.
You cycle or walk through a very beautiful part of Stromness to reach Point Ness.
It was a very good experience, the plot was very tidy and it has all the facilities we need. Even a washing machine and dryer.
The lounge is clean and warm kettle and microwave, table and comfy chairs, very good showers, recycling area and facilitiesto empty portable toilets.
We woke up every day facing the sea with a view across to the Isle of Hoy. Stunning!!
This was our second year staying here for the Folk Festival. We had booked and asked for the same pitch before we left last year. When we arrived and checked in we were handed a bundle of post (birthday cards for my husband) which they had held onto for us - such good service! The site is a good leg stretch from Stromness but just what you need after sitting for quite a while at a concert. The showers and toilets were understandably busy at that time but we still managed. There is an excellent campers lounge, a kitchen and laundry room. The wardens are friendly and very helpful. There are some good off lead walks directly from the site for the dog, with some interesting ww2 sites along the way. All in all a great site for visiting Stromness and surroundings.
Nice campsite. I booked sheltered spot there as i was worrying about wind. There are also nicer tent spots, closer to the water. Clean showers and toilets. Sitting area inside. You can also use kettle and microwave, no cooker.
Point of Ness, Stromness, KW16 3DW, United Kingdom•
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Where to eat
Under a 1-minute walk from Skaill House, here are a few close by recommendations for when you get hungry exploring around.
Loki Seafood Shack
4.4
(18)
4.5
(11)
Seafood restaurant
Wow, completely unexpected superb fresh seafood. Chowder, outstanding. Prawns, rock solid. Scallops, to die for. And everyone in that tiny kitchen was so nice, patient and helpful. I can’t recommend this enough and will be back!
Sam — Google review
Ordered the 1/2 of Lobster that cost 20 quid and the texture was extremely tough and rubbery. It felt as it had already been cooked and just reheated, epically with how quick it took them to grill 3 half lobsters. The Cajun chips that cost 4 quid were fine and could maybe feed a malnourish five year old. Overall if you want to spend an extortion amount of money on low quality seafood I'd recommend the Loki Seafood Shack.
P.S would be good to have better wheelchair access for those who need but maybe not as it would encourage more folk to eat here.
Four bites of lobster for twenty pounds. Very fresh and delicious
But very expensive
Would I buy again, no.
We were extremely lucky to sit in a sunny courtyard and enjoy our seafood
The chef / owner of Loki seafood was a lovely friendly chap.
Three prawn doughnuts. Two tiny bits of prawn in each doughnut, some sauce and a handful of salad for £9!!!!! ☹️ Very poor.
Local seafood freshly cooked and served in a beautiful location. If you're visiting Skara Brae I highly recommend stopping for lunch here. Had the battered scallops and they were delicious.
Lovely fresh seafood.
Can't recommend highly enough.
The place where to eat as you visit Skara Brae. Fresh seafood. Great lobster and scallops. Good Cullen too.
Super fresh scallops beautifully prepared. Very tasty mackerel pate and oatcakes. Excellent brown crab soup. We know seafood and this is the best!
The Hamnavoe Restaurant
4.6
(92)
Temporarily Closed
affordable
Restaurant
The Hamnavoe Restaurant is a beloved family-run establishment in Orkney, operating during the summer months. It offers an intimate and friendly atmosphere with a focus on traditional Orkney cuisine, particularly seafood. Advanced bookings are recommended due to its popularity. The restaurant is known for serving delicious local produce in a welcoming setting. Guests can expect inventive dishes such as vegetable tempura and lobster served with noodles and flavorful mushrooms.
An absolutely stunning restaurant showcasing Orcadian cuisine at its best. Between hand-dived scallops, freshly caught pan-fried cod, and Orkney lobster dishes, the chefs showcased the incredible breadth and quality of their local environs with utter perfection. Each dish was better than the last and served with an exquisite attention to detail. Sauces and sides weren't just thrown onto the plate to add a splash of colour or different texture but used to illuminate and enhance the Orkney fish dishes at the heart of each course. A spectacular and resounding success of a meal. Despite the restaurant's relatively humble environs it's clear that the chefs are true masters of their craft. This place is not to be missed for foodies.
Jack R — Google review
If you have one special night out in your time in the Orkney's, pick the Hamnavoe. Just brilliant.
I had an early sitting, but was not rushed in the slightest.
To start, I had the vegetable tempura, with pickled cucumber and chilli and an excellent
For main, I considered the scallops, but opted for the lobster. What a good decision (though I'm sure the scallops were also great). Lobster was served with noodles and incredibly delicious mushrooms. Zomg.
Also had the green bean side - excellent, and perfectly cooked.
For dessert I had the chocolate tart which was astonishingly good - particularly the shell, crispy and sweet. Richness nicely offset with creme fraiche.
Lovely service, great atmosphere, just 10/10.
Really delicious spot- with creative dishes that are exciting and being in flavors from abroad! Had a delicious lobster and udon noodle dish with kimchi and a dashi broth. Smashed potatoes and broccoli side dish are great too. Service is great and prices are fair. The room is a bit noisy so just FYI (low ceilings and we were seated by a very giggly group of people who laughed very loudly).
Lovely dinner of Lobster, ginger & spring onion noodles, shiitake, dashi & mirin butter sauce followed by guanaja chocolate mousse, poached pear, pistachio. Good variety of wine
Wonderful restaurant, a hidden gem in stromness! Highly recommend
My husband and I went to the Hamvanoe Restaurant during our time on Orkney, and it was one of the best meals we've every had. We had a proper 3-course meal. The portions weren't big, the food was exquisite and the atmosphere was friendly. We loved that the food had an Asian touch as it made each dish unique. Definitely coming back next time we're on Orkney. Highly recommended!
Unlucky night… or overrated?
We were thrilled about dining in a Michelin rated restaurant , a hidden gem in little Stromness!
But perhaps we had too high expectations… because except for food, everything else was rather inadequate…
Starting from the BOOKING: you must phone them. But… if you’re living in another country?!
Or you can write on their Fb page, and BE VERY PATIENT FOR AN ANSWER…
DIRECTIONS once in Stromness: ??? We had the chance that two locals accompanied us there, thank you guys.
Restaurant SIGN(S): CONFUSED…
Interiors: quite pleasant. Unfortunately, however, VERY NOISY.
But over now the commiserations… the SERVICE: to be honest, they were more than KIND, profusely apologizing for the food delay (we were booked in)… for MORE THAN ONE HOUR!!!
Unfortunately when the FOOD finally came, it was GOOD, yes… but not so outstanding to make us forget the (too) long WAIT. And the hefty bill…
Just an unlucky night? Who knows...?
Maybe we’ll give them a second chance, one day…
Great little restaurant with excellent service and extremely tasty food.
35 Graham Pl, Stromness, KW16 3BY, United Kingdom•
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Orkney Fish
4.7
(52)
Fish store
Seafood restaurant
Orkney Fish and Shellfish, located in Garson Park, Stromness on Garson Street, offers a variety of local seafood including scallops, salmon, fish, crab, lobster and smoked products. The shop provides fresh and high-quality produce that can be cooked at home or enjoyed as ready-to-eat meals. Customers can also inquire about seasonal opening times by phone. Visitors have praised the friendly service and the exceptional freshness of the seafood.
We were craving some fresh seafood having been inspired by our journey over from Scrabster. Was very happy to find these guys, and blown away by the quality and freshness of the produce! The chap who served us was very friendly and helpful too, had a bit of a chat while we were there.
Cooked up some of the Hand Dived Scallops in our Bothy, and can honestly say they're the best scallops I've eaten!
Pan-fried some of the Hake for supper too.. again, incredible freshness and quality 👌👌👌
D — Google review
Scollop's! Very fresh and well presented. They do a range of options and you can get a Gluten-free crab savory doughnut! Most things are Gluten-free at the shack. All staff were lovely
Fabulous seafood, fresh off the boat. Couldnt wait to get back to pan-fry them in bacon, white wine and butter.The huge scallops were amazing and plaice melty! 🙏🏼
Popped in here today for some smoked haddock to make fishcakes. Always lovely fish and the fishcakes were delicious as always. Forgot to take a picture lol so you'll just have to take my word for it. Thanks chef Freddie x
Delicious fresh fish at a very reasonable price. The filled roll with crab was amazing. It's buried in a little business park area and somewhat hard to find, but very worth hunting for
My wife flew 4000 miles for a hot smoked salmon roll. So delicious 😋
Very good and fresh food!
Wish I'd read the reviews before ordering. Very disappointing £15 crab donuts: 98% donut, 2% crab. Vague smell, no taste . Avoid.
Garson Park, Stromness, KW16 3BL, United Kingdom•
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Day 2
South side of town
For day 2, we recommend exploring the south side side of town. Start the day off with Scapa Flow Museum, then wind down and take it easy by the time you get to Northlight Gallery. All together, your day would be filled with about 10 hours of non-stop fun.
1•Mark M — Google reviewTony ( — Google reviewMaya M — Google reviewVlad S — Google reviewKizzy D — Google reviewAndy T — Google reviewSue R — Google review
Scapa Flow Museum
4.8
(354)
4.5
(162)
Museum
Military Museums
Visitor Centers
The Scapa Flow Museum is a fascinating place filled with historical treasures and artifacts, making it an ideal destination for a day trip, especially when the weather is less than perfect. The museum offers a wealth of intriguing items, including historical pieces washed ashore and informative displays that are concise and easy to understand. Visitors can explore the Dome, which houses informational materials and activities for children, as well as the Romney Hut with its additional artifacts.
The Scapa Flow Museum is excellent, a lot of thought has been given to displaying the collection and how you walk through it. The staff are very welcoming. I also loved the building.
Peter B — Google review
Terrific WW1 & WW2 Navy Museum.
So many interesting things to see and do.
Cafe is fantastic too.
Only a one minute drive from Lyness Ferry Pier.
We have visited this amazing Museum twice now,and each time we see more & more.
What a brilliant museum. Incredibly well laid out with just the right amount of information and very welcoming and helpful staff.
The fare as for passengers from Houton was also a bargain.
The cafe was also very well priced but sadly let down by extremely unenthusiastic staff and poor housekeeping.
Very welcoming museum, so much information and so many personal experiences! Children were given very well thought of treasure hunt that made them more focused on the museum content and entertained at the same time! The cafe on site was very nice too and with very reasonable prices. All in all a brilliant experience, even more so for a museum that only asks for donations, not paid entry. Thank you! X
If you're interested in military history, this place is an absolute must. There are myriad pieces of information detailing what happened with the British and German navies at Scapa Flow, as well as what life was like here during the war.
There are also a lot of artefacts from ships that sank in Scapa Flow, but British as well as German. The museum is set in a former military oil depot which was pumping oil to / from the ships, so you can also see lots of the heavy machinery accomplishing this task.
Overall a great experience and I'd recommend allocating at least 2 hours to visit this. The ferry terminal is right across the road so a great activity of you need to wait for the ferry.
One of many trips to the museum on Hoy! To get here you can take the foot passenger ferry from stromness but you'd have to walk there as there is no bus or you can take the car over if you go via houghton (best if you want to explore the island!)
The museum is literally the first thing you see as you come off the ferry to the right. Everything is sign posted and well documented as you go through. It's amazing to see all the photos of the people who were involved on Hoy, amd learn just how much Orkney did in the war efforts. Well worth a visit.
Also, ask them to open up the shed, there is more to see in there but they'll only open it up if you ask! Also, go into the air raid shelter, it's a little spooky, but its really good. This part night no be accessible to everyone, as there is a ramp that maybe slippy in the winter months but there are no steps
Moored up at Lyness following a dive and so glad we visited this museum. Really informative and explains the whole history of Scapa Flow 👌
Really, really good. Very helpful staff offered my disabled husband a wheelchair which was so helpful. The pump house is awesome and the other displays and artifacts are very well presented and interesting. We enjoyed it and lunch in the cafe was good too. Well worth a generous donation.
Lyness, Stromness, KW16 3NT, United Kingdom•
2 hr 17 min · 16.4 mi
2•Anne M — Google reviewColin M — Google reviewPeter H — Google reviewNigel T — Google reviewFrustrated T — Google reviewRahul J — Google review434jcb — Google review
Ness Battery
4.5
(68)
4.6
(116)
Historical landmark
Sights & Landmarks
Points of Interest & Landmarks
Ness Battery, a significant part of the defenses at the western entrance to Scapa Flow, served as a crucial base for the Royal Navy during both World Wars. The site features well-preserved original wooden huts and a painted mural depicting rural English scenes. After undergoing extensive stabilization and renovation in 2012, Ness Battery is now open for guided tours. Visitors can also explore walking trails along the coast or enjoy panoramic views from Brinkie's Brae.
A really fascinating and important site, brought to life all the more by the brilliant tour Andy gave a group of us. The weather wasn’t kind, but that almost made the experience even more realistic! Highly recommend booking a tour with Andy at nessbattery.co.uk - £6 per person for more than an hour of really interesting information about Ness Battery and the war effort in Orkney is a complete bargain!
Brian L — Google review
Love anything to do with WW1/2, this place is so interesting and our guide Andy was so knowledgeable. By guided tours only and only on certain days, but it's so worth it. Be sure to check out the artwork in the only hut you can get into, it's stunning.
Andy does this walking tour only certain days, best for normal fitness. Not much accessible at any other time.
Tour was excellent, learnt lots about the way defences were designed and built and the technologies used including the remote control of searchlights, communication networks etc.
went into the mess hall and view fabulous mural as Andy filled in details of the artist and his family.
Well worth doing this tour.
Fascinating visit. Great tour. Well worth a visit
A really great tour, the guide was excellent. He was very knowledgeable, interesting, and easy to listen to. The decoration in the mess hall was a real surprise. Well worth the price.
Had a really informative interesting tour, £6 each and lasted an hour.
Cool place with a lot of amazing history. Make sure you check tour timings and arrive orlelse you wont make it in. The tour is really informative and feels good to be in a place with such amazing history.
It’s closed. You can drive straight up to the front gates. It looks abandoned.
Guardhouse Park, Stromness, KW16 3DP, United Kingdom•
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Travelers
2
Travelers
2
20 min · 1.1 mi
3Jayven W — Google reviewMagnus S — Google reviewRahul J — Google reviewSandra W — Google reviewLawrence S — Google reviewKen W — Google reviewAndrew K — Google review
The Cannon
4.7
(36)
Historical landmark
"The Cannon" is a picturesque spot located along Ness Road in Stromness, offering a stunning sea view. Situated on a grassy verge by the seaward side of the road, it features a cannon flanked by two benches, providing visitors with an ideal place to relax and take in the beauty of Stromness harbor. This tranquil location is perfect for watching boats as they come and go, while also serving as a memorial spot with a bench dedicated to Sandy.
A beautiful spot in Stromness where you can sit and watch the boats coming and going.
My grandfather, Sandy, has a memorial bench here, so we sat a while and reminisced.
We were lucky enough to have good weather which afforded us some gorgeous views over the water.
Leighanne B — Google review
Interesting point to lookout into the sea! Sometimes may even be able to catch boats coming in or going out.
Fine place for a break and a sit down with the dog
A place to sit and watch the water move. Immerse yourself into the tranquility. I sat there at 2 in the morning and it was beautiful.
It's a great view point on the way to Ness where the campsite is..there are also benches beside the cannon..across the road there's a plaque on the wall about the cannon's history
Dog was a fan. Plotting world domination.
Lovely view
One of the best places to view the bay in Stromness and wave at the passing ferry.
12 S End, Stromness, KW16 3DJ, United Kingdom•
1 min · 300 ft
4Rose — Google reviewStephen W — Google reviewPawel P — Google review
Logins Well
4.3
(7)
Historical landmark
Logins Well, named after Logins Inn located across the street, was a crucial water source for large sailing ships. From 1670 to 1891, it supplied water to ships from the Hudsons Bay Company and even served Captain Cook's vessels in 1780. Notably, it provided water to Sir John Franklin's ships Erebus and Terror during their Arctic exploration in 1845. This historical site is often overlooked but holds significant maritime history waiting to be explored.
Interesting place! Lots of history behind it. Go check it out. Easy to miss, just keep looking.
Rahul J — Google review
Easy to miss, a spot loaded with history and practical ritual, the last watering hole for ships on their way across the Atlantic to the North American wilds. For anyone interested in John Rae the Orcadian Arctic explorer (whose effigy in Kirkwall's St Magnus Cathedral is well worth visiting), this well was a focal point of the Stromness of his youth.
Interesting historic monument worth a look if in the area.
(Translated by Google) The last well to replenish water supplies for ships sailing across the Atlantic. They called here, among others: Erebus and Terror before the tragic Arctic missions
(Original)
Ostatnia studnia do uzupełnienia zapasów wody dla statków płynących przez Atlantyk. Zawijały tu m.in. Erebus i Terror przed tragicznymi misjami arktycznymi
2 min · 0.11 mi
5
Alfred St
Nestled at 52 Alfred Street in the charming town of Stromness, the Stromness Museum is a delightful destination for history enthusiasts. This historic building, erected in 1858, has served dual purposes as both a museum and a town hall over the years. Recently restored to preserve its Victorian charm, it stands proudly next to the harbor. Visitors can explore an array of fascinating exhibitions and even delve into online collections that showcase the rich maritime heritage and local culture of this picturesque area.
4 min · 0.18 mi
6George L — Google reviewPhilip B — Google reviewMeg T — Google reviewGeorge H — Google review
Northlight Gallery
4.8
(9)
Art gallery
In the heart of Stromness, art enthusiasts can explore a variety of visual delights, including the Northlight Gallery. This cultural gem showcases an array of contemporary and traditional artwork from local and international artists. With regularly changing exhibitions, visitors can expect to encounter diverse artistic expressions with each visit. The gallery's intimate setting provides an immersive experience, allowing guests to appreciate the talents of artists such as Marion Yorston.
Close to my house so I may be biased. But it's fabulous here. An ever changing lineup of exhibitions by enormously varying artists.
Craigie W — Google review
A great artistic and general cultural asset to Stromness and Orkney. A wide range of contemporary and traditional artists represented from Orkney and further afield. Exhibitions change at a regular interval.
A small gallery but when I went it had an amazing exhibition from the talented local artist Marion Yorston
Lovely small Gallery, well worth a visit.
Pleasant well lit gallery space with changing exhibitions.
Graham Pl, Stromness, KW16 3BY, United Kingdom•
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Where to eat
When you need a food break from visiting all the attractions today, these fan favorite restaurants are about a 1-minute walk away from Northlight Gallery.
The Bayleaf Delicatessen
4.7
(131)
4.5
(36)
Deli
The Bayleaf Delicatessen, located at 19 Graham Place and 103 Victoria Street in Stromness, is a charming deli offering a variety of local products. From basic essentials like milk to healthy gluten-free options, cheeses, smoked fish, wines, local beers, confectionaries, and Orkney whiskies - this place has it all. The deli also boasts a delicious selection of local dairy products such as cheese and yogurt along with Orkney-roasted coffee.
Go for the snacks, stay for the cheese! They have a well-curated range of soft, hard, and blue-type cheeses. If you love cheese and are near Stromness, do yourself a favor and visit.
Jeff W — Google review
Good range of cheeses and local produce. Good to stock up if self catering. But diabolical coffee. No one has taken the time to teach the pleasant young staff how to make coffee properly despite all the equipment right there. Tamping is not optional. Only offer take away cups although discount for people with their own but if I lived here and had my own…well I’d make my own coffee.
Due to how soft the water is in Orkney it’s really difficult find great coffee (a common gripe amongst tourists). The Bayleaf are one of a handful of places I’ve been to that manage to pull it off.
Very well stocked wee shop if you're after good ingredients for a meal, food gifts or just some snacks to eat on the go. Great coffee as well to take away.
Great coffee and friendly staff. We were even given a free cheese tasting. Loved the cheese and intended to buy some later to bring home. Unfortunately they were closed when we got back to Stromness. Well worth a visit.
While visiting Stromness came across the Bayleaf. Absolutely fantastic selection of goods. Huge variety of teas, meats, and multiple types of crisps from Spain. They have guns and beers from Orkney brewers. Finished off by getting best latte in Stromness 👍🏾! I was there 07.04.24 about 1500. Awesome 👍🏾
An amazing selection of cheeses, very knowledgeable staff.
Nice assortment of local stuff, good cappuccino, nice location
103 Victoria St, Stromness, KW16 3BU, United Kingdom•
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Day 3
Proximity is everything
For day 3, we bundled attractions like NorthLink Ferries and Orkney Folk Festival and other places within a close range, so that the time it takes to travel between all of them is less than one hour. Combined with the average time people spend there, your day should take about 8 hours.
1•Baudouin H — Google reviewAlex C — Google reviewKaren S — Google reviewDerrick R — Google reviewElle A — Google reviewAnita H — Google reviewHelen C — Google review
NorthLink Ferries
4.5
(194)
4.5
(739)
Ferry service
Transportation
Ferries
NorthLink Ferries operates the impressive vessel The Hamnavoe, which travels between Scrabster and Stromness. The ferry docks right in Stromness Harbour, just a 4-minute drive to the cottages. The service is well-maintained and comfortable, with helpful staff both on the phone and in person. Additionally, they offer early morning B&B services with access to free coffee and tea in the evening. There are also pet-friendly cabins available for those traveling with their four-legged friends.
Excellent service. We arrived 5:45 PM for the 6:30 ferry. We parked our car in line, waited a few minutes, and then drove on. Very easy. I got the ticket for the Mangus lounge -- this was not worth it. I would skip this in the future. But the Ferry went on time. The next night coming home, we stayed on board in the "Bed and Breakfast." Rooms were small, but very comfortable. I would recommend this so that you can be on the road again on the main land at 8 AM. We arrived at 9:30 PM the night prior, turned over our car keys, and went aboard. We stayed up watching the TV and using the computer for a while in the lounges and then retired. The bathroom are small but very doable. We had a nice shower the next morning. Do not hesitate to take the ferry to Orkney and back. Get the premium room -- a bit bigger space. Again the free drinks in the Mangus lounge -- not worth it. Good value of the money
K H — Google review
Travelled from Stormness to Scrabster on board the Hamnavoe. Efficient and quick for access to and from Orkney. Very competent staff. Facilities onboard were very good. We recommend booking the lounge (£15) for a more comfortable trip and nice service. The views on this crossing are beautiful, and you will make nice pictures of the coastline.
Running late so tried to call the company to inform them but no phone signal. We arrived just in time for final check in, but the kiosk was already empty, so we drove straight down to the ferry and the doors were already closing on it. The guy at the barrier just shrugged his shoulders and soon after the ferry left (around 20 minutes early!!!) To add insult to injury the receptionist showed complete indifference and wouldn't transfer the booking or refund. The whole thing just felt extremely unfair. We arrived just in time for final check in but no one was at the kiosk. How can a ferry company say you're too late and and then let the ferry leave 20 minutes early. Absolutely outrageous.
Travelled on the Hjaltland to Aberdeen, the ship is clean and tidy and crew are helpful, there is a restaurant and bar, shop and cinema. Accommodation is in cabins or sleeping pods both at extra cost. I opted for a pod, the pod lounge was quiet and warm, each pod had a pillow, blanket, eye mask and ear plugs provided.
Recently visited Orkney with the car and used Northlink from Scrabster to Stromness for the outward journey, Pentland Ferries for the return. While Northlink was more expensive, it was worth it. Boarding the ferry with the car was easier and there was far more room on the car deck to get in and out of the vehicle. You also exit the vessel (MV Hamnavoe) straight ahead, no tight U turn which I saw catching people out on Pentland. The vessel is very clean, well appointed and the seating is really comfortable. Wish I'd paid extra and made the return journey with Northlink to Scrabster. Lesson learned.
I was visiting Orkney for the first time and did a lot of research on the two ferry companies that operate in the area as I was a solo traveler and didn't have a vehicle. NorthLink had more positive reviews so I decided to book a ticket with them from Thurso to Stromness. I also splashed out on the Magnus Lounge as the price was right.
I was profoundly impressed all around. While I know the ferry services can't control the weather (ha ha) I will say that it was very smooth on the day that I went. What you get for your money for the Magnus Lounge was impressive - the quality of food, service, and seating was well worth it.
Ferry was right on time and I disembarked feeling a bit disappointed that I hadn't booked more sea crossings as I would absolutely do it again. :)
Well,great staff and excellent service, food on board is excellent, extremely clean modern way of travel,
Fab service taking you to wonderful places- what's not to love!
Stromness Ferry Terminal, Ferry Rd, Stromness, Orkney KW16 3BH, United Kingdom•
< 1 min · 0 ft
2
Orkney Folk Festival
The Orkney Folk Festival is a vibrant celebration of music that draws in talented musicians and enthusiastic fans from all corners of the globe. Taking place at the end of May, this festival transforms venues across the islands into lively hubs filled with the enchanting sounds of fiddles, guitars, and accordions. While Stromness serves as its spiritual home, the festival's energy spills out into streets and pubs, creating an unforgettable atmosphere for attendees.
Festival Office/Victoria St, Stromness, KW16 3AA, United Kingdom•
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Travelers
2
Travelers
2
3 min · 0.15 mi
3•Gary F — Google reviewEFSA K — Google reviewMark M — Google reviewGary C — Google reviewTork M — Google reviewYann R — Google reviewAdventures A — Google review
Pier Arts Centre
4.7
(117)
4.6
(183)
Art museum
Museums
Art gallery
Located in Stromness, the Pier Arts Centre is a design-centered space housed in an 18th-century merchants house on the pier. It was established by Margaret Gardiner, a patron of art and peace activist, who generously offered her collection of British fine art to the people of Orkney. The gallery features around 180 works, including sculptures by Barbara Hepworth, inspired by her time in Orkney. The building itself has won awards for its design.
Magnificent experience! Loved the building design and the artistic works to marvel at. William Gillies main artist on feature when I visited with other artists also displayed. What a talent, very skilled. If you're in Stromness visit this Centre. Educational 😊🤓
Tania S — Google review
State of the art designed building. Interesting mix of local modern art. Free and not crowded. Several floors.
Fantastic little gallery with some wonderful, minimalist art. A calming, soothing space with very friendly and obliging staff.
A world class small museum of awesome contemporary art in an architectural masterpiece building. A total shock in this priceless, charmingly quaint town. Worth a trip from anywhere.
Very nice gallery with a diverse selection of arts and crafts. Different mediums and styles. An open space with great lighting. Spent an enjoyable half hour browsing.
Lovely wee gallery and arts shop in a renovated harbour side building , its a great place to wait out a passing shower and has great views of the harbour
Really impressive art centre with an envious permanent collection. Beautifully laid out and very helpful staff. Even looking through the windows look like works of art.
Only a quick look in due to time constraints, but a variety of artworks to see, some now with video montages. Tickled with the plug socket drawn on the wall.
The woman at the entrance desk was pleasant and had a nice smile. Had read in the local newspaper about the new exhibition and other projects in development at the centre.
28-36 Victoria St, Stromness, KW16 3AA, United Kingdom•
3 min · 0.14 mi
4Lynn D — Google reviewDebbie — Google reviewJoel H — Google reviewMalcolm A — Google reviewChristopher I — Google reviewGloria W — Google reviewLouisa N — Google review
Stromness Books & Prints
4.9
(30)
Book store
Nestled in Graham Place, Stromness Books & Prints is a delightful treasure trove for book lovers and those seeking unique literary finds. This charming shop boasts an impressive collection of works by Orcadian authors, including the renowned George Mackay Brown, who called this town home for much of his life. Beyond local literature, visitors can explore a diverse selection of Scandinavian titles that pique curiosity. The knowledgeable staff are always ready to assist you in discovering your next great read.
Wonderful tiny bookshop with a very knowledgeable owner. Fits about three customers at once, and pushchairs, prams, etc can perch outside. Found a book I hadn't found elsewhere and lots by local authors.
E P — Google review
A wonderful tiny jam packed bookshop full of gems from Scottish history and literature as well as current releases. Although small leave plenty time for browsing here as the books are packed to the ceiling. A book lovers delight. Also selling some very pretty notebooks and maps of the local areas. Definitely worth a visit when you are in Stromness.
Tiny bookstore with exquisite selection! Comfy. Could have stayed much longer.
Small and cramped bookshop on the main street. Both me and my partner felt uncomfortable here, and left without buying anything. Firstly the man behind the counter was watching us both intensely as we were browsing, which made us feel unwelcome. Secondly, my partner had our baby son in a pram who started making raspberries, and the owner did an overly dramatic sigh and seemed annoyed at the presence of the baby.
The best book shop in Britain and probably in the smallest place. Expect to find the unexpected. This time a book on neolithic stone tools came home with me "Conversations with Magic Stones". In the past books by Norwegian, Danish, and Russian writers have adopted me. You won't pick a book, it will pick you.
This small bookshop is an absolute gem. Despite its size the range of books is stunning. A must visit while strolling through Stromness.
This lovely bookshop, while small, has a good collection of books that make one want to linger and browse. There is a good collection of books from writers in the area and the lady in the shop was very helpful and friendly.
Great little bookshop with a wide range of really interesting books including lots about the local area.
3 Graham Pl, Stromness, KW16 3BY, United Kingdom•
4 min · 0.18 mi
5•Frank M — Google review
Statue of Dr John Rae, Artic Explorer
3.6
(5)
3.7
(6)
The Statue of Dr John Rae, Arctic Explorer, pays tribute to the life and achievements of this remarkable Orcadian figure who lived from 1813 to 1892. Working for the Hudsons Bay Company in Canada, he discovered new passages through the Arctic wilderness. Despite his significant contributions, he did not receive as much recognition as other explorers due to his controversial discovery about the fate of the Franklin Expedition.
Stromness is a quaint place, particularly liked the cobbled streets and individual houses that ran from the harbour. The statue was short, which made me wonder if Dr John Rae was, if he lacked height he certainly made up for in accomplishments.
Teresa B — Google review
Nice statue. That's about it really. Soz.
Ferry Rd, KW16, Stromness, KW16 3AA, United Kingdom•
3 min · 0.14 mi
6•Mary B — Google reviewAdventures A — Google reviewCarla B — Google reviewYvonne H — Google reviewRiccardo C — Google reviewPeter W — Google reviewEwan S — Google review
Stromness Marina
4.1
(42)
3.9
(35)
Marina
Nature & Parks
Stromness Marina is a small and well-maintained marina that offers great sailing opportunities around Orkney. Visitors can ask the seasonal staff or local committee members for sailing guides showcasing wonderful cruises from the marina. While dining options in town may be limited at night, there are regular bus services to Kirkwall. The marina itself is very sheltered and boasts a picturesque setting with visiting boats during the summer months.
Stromness is a picturesque and bustling small town, shaped by the sea. Yards from the historic harbour, the winding streets lead to a range of eateries, local craft shops and galleries.
The Orkney Folk Festival, held in Stromness every May, is a highlight in both the Orkney and Scottish Folk calendars. Performers and visitors from all over the world come to soak up the music, and, of course, the magical atmosphere.
Stromness is the perfect place from which to visit the sites of the West Mainland of Orkney, especially the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site, a group of Neolithic monuments including Skara Brae, the best preserved group of prehistoric houses in Western Europe. A truly special place. Also nearby, there are a spectacular ten mile coastal walk, two highly acclaimed breweries, bird reserves, brown trout fishing lochs and several villages with shops, tearooms and craft studios.
En L — Google review
Beautiful place to visit, lovely views
You maybe disappointed with eating out options in town at nighttime are limited. There are regular bus services to Kirkwall.
Small marina, very sheltered. Art galleries, museums, and independent shops in town.
I'm biased cause I live here but it's beautiful... And now the Christmas lights are out..
Beautiful looking marina! I’m not a user of this Marina, but it looks well kept and there’s some amazing visiting boats
I would gym in the Summer.
Small harbor, but well organized for people who must take the ferry back to Scotland.
During the waiting you can have a walk in the small town, and nearby there is also a market for buying something for the journey.
Nice friendly people, volunteers run it on behalf of Orkney Marinas in Kirkwall.. High quality pontoons with water (with hoses on a reel!) and electricity. Fob entry security.
Lovely place with nice professional staff in a beautiful town!
Ferry Rd, Stromness, KW16 3BH, United Kingdom•
8 min · 0.42 mi
7•Jay K — Google reviewJulia B — Google reviewRussell B — Google reviewJohn P — Google reviewPhil T — Google reviewSi B — Google reviewDeborah D — Google review
Argo's Bakery
4.6
(60)
4.3
(59)
cheap
Bakery
Donut shop
Argo's Bakery is a delightful gem nestled in Stromness, offering an array of mouthwatering treats that are sure to satisfy any sweet tooth. From delectable confectionaries and pies to the famous Orkney Fudge and local cheeses, this bakery has something for everyone. Not only can you indulge in their scrumptious baked goods, but you can also find a selection of wines, whiskies, and even some grocery essentials.
Lovely food and amazing selection of bakery. Fully recommend and will be back again soon
Erik S — Google review
Amazing pies , couldn't recommend the beef and chicken curry pie the most. Very reasonable priced too
I wish I could take this bakery back to Wales with me, everything I bought here was absolutely delicious. Fresh crab and salad roll to die for, and the fluffiest doughnuts I have ever come across. Just lovely, all of it.
Haven't been to the location but I had a caramel slice from this bakery and I don't think I have had anything so good! The caramel topping and the shortbread crust is paired perfectly! If this is any indication of the baking abilities of this company, they are about one of the most underrated bakeries I have been to.
Superb food to carry out with local delicious sweets too.
Great place to go for hot and cold takeaway food and tasty treats, all mainly locally made or made on the premises. Staff are very helpful and the prices reasonable too I go regular if I'm working in stromness so I take advantage of there loyalty card
Great selection of hot food and filled rolls. It's worth avoiding the school rush between 1300-1400 as the queues can get pretty long and the place is pretty loud during that time.
Beautiful cakes and biscuits, took some home they were that good! Unlike the previous reviewer we had fantastic service when we asked about snuffboxes & she rang the bakery for us. Wish they had home delivery cos I’d be first in the que!
Cairston Rd, Stromness, KW16 3JS, United Kingdom•
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Where to eat
Even the most seasoned adventurers need a break to chow down some food. Close to Statue of Dr John Rae, Artic Explorer, these restaurants are about a 1-minute walk away.
The Scapa Flow Restaurant
3.9
(62)
4.0
(124)
affordable
Restaurant
The Scapa Flow Restaurant is a great place to eat in Stormness. It's popular with locals and visitors alike, and the food is delicious. You may need to book if you want a table, but it's worth it - the apple crumble is especially magical.
Went here with the monthly Veterans' Breakfast Club in May. The staff were friendly and polite and the food was delicious.
They bent over backwards to support us all and made us feel absolutely welcome. We would absolutely go back again.
Si B — Google review
Abundant and very good servings. Friendly and welcoming service. I recommend it if you are passing through Stormness.
The only opened restaurant in Stormness at the moment. Nice service, full plate for low price.
Rather quaint, old fashioned style restaurant suits the middle aged to grey money diner rather than trendy youngsters. Good food, fairly standard menu that I liked with good portion sizes at reasonable prices. Excellent draft and bottled Orkney beers. Good service from pleasant waiters and great to look out over the harbour to island of Hoy even from our table at the back of the restaurant. Can't give it five stars as the chips were not brilliant and whole place needs a little refurbishment, however would go back again.
What a restaurant! You step back over 100 years into a bygone era. Except, that is, for the food.
There was a group of us so we saw a cross-section of the menu. In short, it was all good. So why only 4*? The veggies. They were all beautifully prepared, the chips were gorgeous. But... they could have been presented better. The potatoes were plain boiled, melted in the mouth deliciously but would have looked better tossed in a little butter with some herbs. The same for the carrots which had a bit of butter but we had to toss them ourselves.
The Baileys cheesecake is perfection: change nothing. The cheese platter was good for me 'cos it gave me, a 2 day visitor, Orkney cheese and Orkney oatcakes; more oatcakes please and what was that white granular, totally tasteless cheese?
The lobster dish is brilliant; the duck, the steaks were all delicious, just a shame about the look of the veggies. Now offer us real coffee and the evening would have been exceptional.
It's an excellent, friendly place and the food is delicious. We went there every morning and evening to eat. You might need to book. The apple crumble is magical btw.
Curry of the day is never less than superb. Good beer too.
Wild dissatisfaction swept the table as our pre-ordered meals were delivered with long pauses between each plate's arrival. Coarse and unfriendly staff interspersed by others that were happy and smiling often failed to deliver coherent service with any kind of discernable organisation.
The food offered good choice for vegetarians and vegans, although the finished articles were generally bland and under-seasoned. The meat and fish based dishes were more appetising but relied heavily on the flavour of second rate produce. Generally food was overcooked, although not burned.
Desert again offered a reasonable mix of both classic and interesting dishes, but lacked flavour or was overcooked.
In summary, not somewhere I would return given the option of other establishments, but if it was this vs. hunger I'd probably concede and return. Oh and the bill was also incorrect... A fairly simple thing to generate a series of numbers that add up using entry level mathematics.
The Pierhead, 15 Victoria St, Stromness KW16 3AA, United Kingdom•
Adam's Place
4.7
(75)
4.5
(35)
Permanently Closed
Seafood restaurant
Restaurant
Located on John Street, diagonally opposite the Northlink Ferry Terminal in Stromness, Adam's Place is a newly opened seafood and steak restaurant that also offers artisan pizza and bakery items. Visitors have praised the excellent food and great service at this establishment. The menu features dishes like cheese souffle, risotto, crab linguine, and lamb which are described as very tasty and well balanced. Some patrons have suggested expanding the beer/alcohol options available.
Lovely dinner spot beside the harbour. Mussels with fresh bread were delicious. Haddock chowder was brilliant, thick and creamy with tasty chunks of fish. Highly recommend the crab linguine. Nice wine and friendly service.
Stephen H — Google review
Super awesome place to eat in Stromness on Orkney. It's just in front of the Northline ferry terminal. The linguine is amazing and so was the sticky pudding. I really enjoyed our meals here.
What an amazing restaurant and quite a find in the lovely little town of Stromness.
The welcome and service were first class, the atmosphere perfect and the food absolutely amazing, the best we’ve had for some time.
Apparently the owner/chef is Michelin trained and it really shows.
If you visit Orkney this is a must-visit.
Lovely restaurant close to the harbor. I had the monkfish scampi with Cole slaw, green salad, mayo and chips. If you like hot, crispy chips come here. My friend had the orkney scallops with Risotto. Both dishes were delicious and beautifully presented. We had the lemon curd meringue pie with ice cream, extra curd and a coulis. They make the ice cream. Extra special.
This was place was amazing! Super accommodating for our dietary needs and our toddler. Staff very friendly. It gets busy so best book ahead! Everything's we ate was super tasty. 5 stars. Must visit if coming to Orkney.
We had lunch right opposite the harbour, and enjoyed the food. I'm told the burger was great. I had the rump steak. I prefer it a little thicker, but it was cooked nicely and the peppercorn sauce was excellent. The chips were great too.
A simple menu of two fish, two burger options, two steak otions all served with chips and two pasta, including vegetarian dishes. Very nicely cooked, served and presented. Friendly service.
You can not experience Stromness without visiting Adams Place. Staff were so warm and friendly as soon as you walked in. Short varied menu catering for everyone, however local freshly cooked food. Not many places to eat in Stromness so recommend you book when you arrive. Was a perfect end to our first visit after spending 3 days in Stromness. We will be back. Recommend cheese souffle, local mussels were beautiful, local fish and chips could not be any fresher and finish with local ice cream. Thanks so much for making special memories of the place. Visitors need to support local places.
20 Ferry Rd, Stromness, KW16 3AE, United Kingdom•
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Stromness Chinese Takeaway
4.0
(133)
3.5
(45)
affordable
Chinese takeaway
Stromness Chinese Takeaway is a popular spot known for its delicious and varied food options, including vegan and vegetarian dishes. The staff are generally helpful, with particular praise for one local gentleman named Reece. However, some customers have noted inconsistencies in service quality from other staff members. The prices are reasonable, and the portions are generous. While the location may be a bit challenging to access by car due to narrow streets, the overall experience is positive.
Really nice food especially the chicken curry. Honey chilli chicken was quite nice but could have done with more Honey. Beef and mushrooms was nice. Decent sized portions for the price.
Ian M — Google review
Bland, dry, hopefully forgettable.
Sadly it was the only option after 9pm.
If you find yourself in that situation I highly suggest going to Coop and get a meal deal.
I asked the young girl on reception several times to make sure my chow mein was dry to which it wasn't she also had to rectify a previous order as I got in the door...however the food was good
Decent Chinese food cooked China Chinese style (not usual Cantonese style u have everywhere).
Vegetables cooked perfectly, crispy & fresh (not soggy). Boiled rice cooked precisely, fresh (not mushy, overcooked, dry).
Thank you
Wish we had a Chinese takeout like this in my part of Berlin! Fast, fresh, delicious, and affordable. I got the salt & pepper pork, which came with a good quantity of tasty ribs and a crisp side of onions + spring onions.
I personally can't rate this service more highly. The staff are always extremely helpful, particularly Reece a local gentleman. I have been served by others and unfortunately I haven't been met with the same high standards. I always get the correct order when I get it through that staff member and I particularly appreciate his helpful nature.
The food itself is such a fantastic variety and I personally really appreciate that they cater for Vegans and Vegetarians. I absolutely love having this on my doorstep. Very fast service, really fresh delicious food. Thank you to all involved.
Food has always been delicious and plenty of it. Good prices too. My only comment would be about the young lady who was serving when I was there last week, she was wearing a fleece onsie! Surely not appropriate attire for serving the public. Also the language between her and the lad wasn't ideal especially when there was young children in the shop, there was a lot of swearing between them in loud voices. Other than that I have no complaints.
The only place left in Stromness where you can get takeaway fish & chips on a weeknight, but the fish isn't very good - roughly 7:3 batter to fish ratio.
Someone else in our group had a mixed curry which was apparently very nice, so maybe best to stick to the Chinese options on the menu however great your craving for fish & chips is..
Service was very quick, however, even on an obviously busy evening
63 Victoria St, Stromness, KW16 3BS, United Kingdom•
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