Location: Stromness
Top Things to do in Stromness
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What to do and see in Stromness, Scotland: The Best Things to do Good for Couples
Stromness locally /ˈstrɒmnəs/ is the second-most populous town in Orkney, Scotland. It is in the southwestern part of Mainland Orkney. It is also a parish, with the town of Stromness as its capital.
Restaurants in Stromness
1. Skara Brae
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,073 reviews
The Neolithic settlement of Skara Brae, near the dramatic white beach of the Bay of Skaill, is one of the best preserved groups of prehistoric houses in Western Europe. Uncovered by a storm in 1850, the attraction presents a remarkable picture of life around 5,000 years ago. Visitors can experience a prehistoric village and see ancient homes fitted with stone beds, dressers and seats. A replica construction allows visitors to fully understand the interior of a prehistoric house.
Reviewed By 777juliea - Winchester, United Kingdom
This fascinating historic site was on our bucket list for years, and now we have managed to visit twice. On both occasions we were on a guided tour, and the tour guide was full of interesting information. Who could imagine that these relatively advanced houses actually predated Stonehenge? The cluster of houses is close to the sea, with a magnificent sweep of a bay just beyond so visiting the site is itself a memorable experience. Some of the dwellings still retain their stone fittings. There is also a replica dwelling close by which visitors can enter.
2. Kraken Diving
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 31 reviews
We are here for anybody that is interested in exploring one of the best wreck diving sites in the world! Here at Kraken Diving we offer various PADI recreational courses for those who want to learn to dive. We also offer some TDI technical diving courses for those that want to extend their diving limits based in Scapa Flow, Orkney.
3. Yesnaby Cliffs
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 315 reviews
Reviewed By stufromthesim - Glasgow, United Kingdom
The views here on the day we went were simply incredible but in different weather it will be entirely different so bear that in mind when deciding if a visit is worthwhile. These are particularly accessible cliffs with a car park practically on the cliff top at the old gun battery site. The sat nav may try to encourage you to turn left as you drive towards the cliffs but so long as you can see a small selection of derelict ww2 style block buildings ahead of you, stick on the straight road you have been on. There is a concrete hard standing on which about 8 cars could park with little problem and plenty of parking just before this for any overflow. Once out of the car the ground is quite rough and leads to the edge of the cliff and it would be very easy for someone to fall and die - particularly children but those unsteady on their feet would also be at risk towards the edge. That said, provided you’re not an idiot or a negligent parent there is nothing to fear that common sense would not prevent. The sea stacks are but a relatively short walk (we were out and back in about an hour which included fannying about taking pictures) along an well worn path which is signposted off to the left of the car park as you look towards the cliffs. The walk to the stacks was very muddy on our visit but starts out flat before some wooden steps mark the start of a more uneven journey. The path is easy to follow as it tracks the fence all the way with a gangplank to cross a small dip, a 90 degree turn to follow the fence again and some more wooden steps to help you out a little further along. We only went as far as the Castle stack which was about a quarter mile on from the the second set of wooden steps but I understand it runs on further south and takes in more sea stacks but not sure how much farther down they are. A fantastic weather dependant trip that rewards with some stunning photos. I imagine falling down the several hundred metre cliffs would seriously impact on your enjoyment of this worthwhile venue so be careful!
4. Odin Tours of Orkney
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 54 reviews
We specialise in personalised private guided tours of Orkney. Every tour is unique and tailored to your interests and preferences. We can show you well known attractions and some off the beaten track treasures from our comfortable 7 seater touring vehicle. Our guests enjoy the exclusive services of a fully qualified driver guide. It is our aim to ensure you have a fantastic time in Orkney.
5. Ring of Brodgar
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,342 reviews
This is the largest Neolithic standing stone circle in Scotland, which is more than 340 feet in diameter consisting of 25 stones, the largest of which is 15 feet in height.
Reviewed By U8982CDkarenm - Kirkwall, United Kingdom
Your step back in time starts at the car park - read the info & realise you're about to walk somewhere that has been there longer than the pyramids!! Stroll the paths to the ring of amazing standing stones (in winter you can't access the centre due to ground damage) however, the walk round the perimeter is awesome. Dwell on how these massive stones where moved from various parts of orkney - not just local. And reflect on their purpose & why they are there. Various single stones stand off from the ring & clear cut paths guide you. The views across both Harray & Stenness Loch complete the walk.
6. NorthLink Ferries
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 604 reviews
Let NorthLink Ferries take you on a voyage of discovery to the islands of Orkney and Shetland. With NorthLink Ferries, travelling to Orkney and Shetland is more convenient than ever before. Choose from up to three sailings a day from Scrabster (near Thurso) to Stromness in Orkney and nightly sailings from Aberdeen to Lerwick in Shetland - with four of these sailings going via Orkney's capital, Kirkwall.
Reviewed By Travel_Teddybears - Glasgow, United Kingdom
We just did the round trip of Scrabster to Orkney, Orkney to Shetland, Shetland to Orkney and Orkney to Scrabster. This review of for the section Orkney to Scrabster. You dock in Orkney in Kirkwall quite late, well we docked at 10.30pm and had a bit of a mad dash across the island to get the boat moored up in Stromness ready for the early morning sailing. We had a cabin booked. We used to do this trip years ago, and quite a few things had greatly improved. We got to book in quite late at about 5 mins to 11 so were just in time. We had a lovely cabin booked, and were also booked into the Magnus lounge. The lady who walked us on said we had missed the lounge as it was closing, but it was such a shame she asked the girl on the boat to let us go in anyway. This we did and were given a huge plate of sandwiches, enough for 10 people !! cake, biscuits, 2 large double drinks, as many soft drinks as we could carry and newspapers. It really was excellent and all free with the cabin. The lovely girl even helped us carry every thing down to the cabin. I was a bit worried as we were the cabin by the slamming main door, but apparently we were the last on and everyone else had gone to bed. So we had a great picnic, nice hot shower, watched tv. It was quiet, never heard a thing, and all you could hear was the boat engine starting up in the morning. It was very very rough, storm something or other. But the boat still went. We went up and they still did an excellent cooked breakfast, free with the cabin and plenty of extras to choose from. Stunning and magnificent views. Arrived on time. It was great.
7. Orkney Cycle Hire
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By 156kirstyj - Bristol, United Kingdom
We were suprised to find that 2 days bike hire was more expesive than 3 days so we of course went with 3 days! :) The bikes are obvioulsy hire bikes so if you are used to riding your own then you'll possibly find them heavy and a bit clunky. But along with the bikes we got the helmets, locks and a pannier bag at no extra cost. I did have a small problem with my gears but popped back in the next morning and quickly fixed. The chap there was extremly friendly and helfpul in suggesting routes and places to visit and we are glad we took his advice. We also popped back in on our final morning, having already returned the bikes, to cheekily ask if we could quickly borrow a bike for 15 mins so my husband could cycle back to the Highland Park Distillary to swap a t-shirt he'd purchased. He went one better and very kindly drove my husband!
