Stromness 58:57.88N 03:17.63W
1 August
Today's forecast was high winds and rain - so definitely a
day to explore Stromness. The winds were spot on and fortunately the rain
came through mainly overnight, so we the day was better for touristing than
expected.
Stromness is a busy fishing/ferry port with really only one
street that runs a considerable distance winding up and down the shore, lined
with old stone houses and paved with local flagstones, and narrowing and
widening every so often to create little squares. There are no large
stores but most needs are catered for by a wide range of small shops dotted
along the main street. Unlike Kirkwall, where shops tend to combine an
unlikely mix of products - e.g. baby clothes, wine and calor gas - Stromness
stores are more specialised. Along the main street, there are alleys
leading up the hill or down to quays and glimpses of the harbour and Hamnavoe
as you walk along.
A surprise treat was finding an excellent contemporary art
gallery - The Pier Art Centre - founded 30 years ago when Margaret Gardiner
gifted her collection to Stromness and recently enlarged with a modern and very
stylish extension in 2007.
Ben
Nicolson
Alfred Wallis
