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	Colin Dunn
	2005

Stromness Harbour, Orkney

Stromness is the second-largest town in the Orkney Islands, Scotland, and is located in the south west of the mainland of Orkney. A long-established seaport, and with a population of approximately 2,200, the old town is clustered along the main street, flanked with houses and shops built from local stone, with narrow lanes and alleys branching off it.

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, and the view as you enter the harbour today is little changed from those times. There is a ferry link from Stromness harbour to Scrabster on the north coast of mainland Scotland.

Writer George Mackay Brown was born and lived most of his life in the town, and is buried at the graveyard about 1 mile along the coast.

Picture Added on 12 December 2006.