The seafront at Stromness Mainland Orkney, Highland Region Scotland SCO 5822.
A long-established seaport, it has a population of approximately 2,190 residents. The old town is clustered along the characterful and winding 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. Large numbers of Orkneymen, notably from Stromness, served as traders, explorers and seamen for both. Stromness Museum reflects these aspects of the town's history (displaying for example important collections of whaling relics, and Inuit artefacts brought back as souvenirs by local men from Greenland and Arctic Canada). An unusual aspect of the town's character is the large number of buildings decorated with displays of whale-bones outside them. On Stanger's Brae, overlooking the entrance to Stromness harbour, is the cannon from an American Privateer, The Liberty. Captured in 1813. It was fired regularly to herald the arrival of the Hudson's Bay Company fleets.
Size: 5620px × 3733px
Location: Stromness Mainland Orkney, Highland Region Scotland
Photo credit: © David Gowans / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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