Stromness, Orkney, Scotland
A labyrinth of flagstone lanes and stone piers jutting into Hamnavoe harbour — Stromness puts Orkney's Neolithic wonders, wartime history, and wild Norse landscapes within arm's reach of the pier.
A labyrinth of flagstone lanes and stone piers jutting into Hamnavoe harbour — Stromness puts Orkney's Neolithic wonders, wartime history, and wild Norse landscapes within arm's reach of the pier.
Docking arrangements depend entirely on your ship's size — confirm with your cruise line before arrival.
💡 Pro move: Orkney is the UK's busiest transit cruise port, so expect fellow passengers — but Stromness itself remains uncrowded compared to Kirkwall.
Stromness Ferry Terminal handles smaller vessels directly; larger ships use tenders or divert to Hatston Pier in Kirkwall.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Small & expedition cruise lines | Stromness Ferry Terminal📍 | Docked |
| Large ocean ships (anchor out) | Hamnavoe anchorage → tender to Stromness Marina📍 | Tendered |
| Large ocean ships (pier call) | Hatston Pier, Kirkwall (15 mi east)📍 | Docked |
Orkney's headline draw is its remarkable Neolithic heritage — but Stromness itself rewards a slower, on-foot exploration.
Two UNESCO-listed stone circles dating back 4,000–5,000 years, just 10 minutes by bus or taxi from Stromness. The Ring of Brodgar, with up to 60 original stones in a near-perfect circle, is one of the most atmospheric megalithic sites in Europe.
Find Neolithic Orkney tours →A 5,000-year-old stone village preserved beneath coastal sand dunes — older than Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids. The site includes a visitor centre and replica house. Book entry in advance during peak season.
Find Skara Brae tours →Scapa Flow was the Royal Navy's main anchorage in both World Wars and the site where the German High Seas Fleet was scuttled in 1919. The Italian Chapel — built by Italian POWs from two Nissen huts — is a touching, beautifully decorated landmark.
Find Scapa Flow tours →A world-class modern and contemporary art gallery in a restored waterfront building right in Stromness. Permanent collection includes Barbara Hepworth and Ben Nicholson alongside Orcadian artists. Completely free to enter.
Explore Stromness galleries →Rent a bike from Cycle Orkney in Stromness and pedal the 8-mile route to the Ring of Brodgar along relatively flat roads through Orkney's moorland landscape — a classic way to see the sites independently.
Find bike hire in Stromness →A 30-minute climb up the hill directly behind Stromness rewards with sweeping panoramic views over Hamnavoe harbour, the Flow, and the dramatic cliffs of the Island of Hoy across the water.
Find Orkney walking tours →Stromness is tailor-made for on-foot exploration — the flagstone main street and harbour piers are the attraction.
Walk the full length of Stromness's remarkable main street — Victoria Street, Dundas Street, and Graham Place — from the Ferry Terminal at the north to Stromness Museum at the south. The street has no pavement; pedestrians share the old flagstones with slow-moving local traffic. Branch off into the narrow 'closes' (alleyways) toward the sea for private stone piers, or up the hill for views.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Head south from town past the golf course to Warebeth Beach — a wild, sandy stretch with dramatic views of the towering cliffs of Hoy across the Hoy Sound. Best in clear weather; always windy.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Climate normals for Stromness, Orkney, Scotland (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 43°F / 6°C | 37°F / 3°C | 1 | 8:53 AM | 3:52 PM |
| Feb | 44°F / 7°C | 37°F / 3°C | 1 | 7:47 AM | 5:08 PM |
| Mar | 47°F / 8°C | 38°F / 3°C | 1 | 6:29 AM | 6:15 PM |
| Apr | 50°F / 10°C | 39°F / 4°C | 1 | 5:59 AM | 8:28 PM |
| May | 54°F / 12°C | 43°F / 6°C | 1 | 4:42 AM | 9:37 PM |
| Jun | 59°F / 15°C | 48°F / 9°C | 1 | 4:00 AM | 10:26 PM |
| Jul | 61°F / 16°C | 51°F / 11°C | 1 | 4:26 AM | 10:10 PM |
| Aug | 61°F / 16°C | 51°F / 11°C | 1 | 5:33 AM | 9:00 PM |
| Sep | 59°F / 15°C | 50°F / 10°C | 1 | 6:42 AM | 7:32 PM |
| Oct | 53°F / 12°C | 46°F / 8°C | 1 | 7:51 AM | 6:05 PM |
| Nov | 48°F / 9°C | 42°F / 6°C | 1 | 8:05 AM | 3:48 PM |
| Dec | 45°F / 7°C | 39°F / 4°C | 1 | 9:01 AM | 3:15 PM |
Source: Meteostat (10-yr monthly averages)
Upcoming cruises that call at Stromness, Orkney, Scotland. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.