Stromness Museum

@stromnessmuseum

Orkney's museum of Natural and Maritime History, founded in 1837. "A treasure trove of objects from across the centuries..."

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Stromness Museum@stromnessmuseum· 21d

There are spaces available for our Shoreline Ramble this Fri 24 July at 10am. Come along to connect the Stromness shoreline with our natural history collection, get a sneak peek at some of our research collections and see what you can spot along the local coastline. ℹ️ shorturl.at/avYgp

Graphic that reads: The next Shoreline Ramble is this Fri 24 July at 10am!

Stromness Museum@stromnessmuseum· 21d

It’s early on but our Seaweed Art and Craft workshop with artist Jenny Pope at Stromness @orkneylibrary.bsky.social is already busy with people getting creative around seaweed! 🌊 🪸 Come and join in the fun before 12pm!

Jenny Pope helping a young man draw with craft tables in the background.

A close up photo of a seaweed craft table.

Stromness Museum@stromnessmuseum· 22d

Join us tomorrow for a free, family-friendly Seaweed Art and Craft Workshop with artist Jenny Pope at Stromness Library, as part of Stromness Shopping Week. Crafters of all ages and abilities are welcome! ℹ️: stromnessmuseum.org.uk/whatson/2026...

Photo of a rock pool containing lots of seaweed.

Photo of strips of materials in varying shades of pink and green.

Stromness Museum@stromnessmuseum· 22d

There are still a few spaces left in the afternoon Snorkel Safari this Saturday 25 July with krakendiving.co.uk 😀🤿 Get a unique view of Orkney, help us record our local marine wildlife and learn about ocean conservation. ℹ️: www.stromnessmuseum.org.uk/whatson/2026...

POSTER: Snorkel Safari with Kraken Diving
25 July 2026
Get a unique view of Orkney from the comfort of a dry suit. Help us record our local marine wildlife and learn about ocean conservation.

We are teaming up with Orkney dive school Kraken Diving once again to offer another Snorkel Safari this summer. This will take place at Stromness Museum’s very own pier on Saturday 25 July 2026, with two sessions during the day at 10am and 1pm. We’ll look at some of the historic specimens in our Natural History collection and learn about the Seasearch marine conservation project. Then we’ll go for a guided snorkel in dry-suits to see what we can find. When we come out the water, we’ll note down which species we saw.

This is perfect for beginner snorkelers and those who want to experience Orkney’s underwater world for the first time.

Tickets are £60 per person, which includes kit hire, Stromness Museum entry, a short behind-the-scenes look at our Natural History collection and a ‘Creature Features’ factsheet to take away. Drysuits are available for ages around 10 and up.

Booking is essential. To book email: info@krakendiving.co.uk

Stromness Museum@stromnessmuseum· 25d

📢 We’re hosting the Magic Faraway Tree Museum Adventure this summer! Explore Stromness Museum with this fun family trail designed by @kidsinmuseums.bsky.social and enidblyton.co.uk, inspired by the wonderful lands of the Magic Faraway Tree 🌳 📆 25 Jul-16 Aug 2026 ℹ️: shorturl.at/LQkh8

Graphic: The Magic Faraway Tree Museum Adventure / Kids in Museums / Join us this summer holiday!

Stromness Museum@stromnessmuseum· 29d

As it’s #cowappreciationday let’s take a moment to pity this heifer being loaded on to a small boat for transport. Let’s hope for her sake that it was a smooth crossing. 🐮 🌊 📷 Hourston Photographic Collection, date unknown.

Stromness Museum@stromnessmuseum· 29d

Stromness Shopping Week is almost here! To celebrate we’re having a nature memory book competition. 🖌️ Record nature or wildlife you see during shopping week. 🪶 Our natural history display is great place to start. Enter by 3pm Sat 25 July for a chance to win 1 year’s family museum membership!

Poster: Stromness Shopping Week is almost here! To celebrate we’re having a nature memory book competition. 🖌️ Simply get an A4 piece of paper, fold it in any way you wish, and make a record of any nature or wildlife you see during shopping week. 🪶 The natural history display would be a great place to start. You can draw or write. If you fancy picking up a template piece of paper, head to the museum to get one. Each age category winner gets a year’s free family membership!
🎨8 and under
🎨12 and under
🎨13+
🗓️ Get your entries to the museum by 3pm on Saturday 25th July.

Stromness Museum@stromnessmuseum· Jul 11

This Norwegian whale fisherman demonstrating the Viking Row ritual with his harpoon gun made those aboard the M.V. St. Ola more than a little nervous. ⚽️ #worldcup #fifaworldcup #vikingrow

M.V. St. Ola approaching Stromness Pier with, on the right, a Norwegian Whale fisherman manning the harpoon gun, c.1950s. Hourston Photographic Collection ©️ Stromness Museum

Stromness Museum@stromnessmuseum· Jul 7

Heriot-Watt University Orkney International Marine Science Master's student Elaina is inviting local residents to participate in a Kelp Histories and Futures Mapping Workshop next Thursday at the Robert Rendall Building, Stromness.

Calling all Orkney residents aged 18+!

Heriot-Watt University Orkney International Marine Science Master's student Elaina is inviting local people to take part in a Kelp Histories and Futures Mapping Workshop next Thursday 16 July 2026 at 6.30-8pm at the Robert Rendall Building.

This participatory workshop will explore local knowledge, cultural history, and future possibilities for kelp cultivation around Orkney Mainland. Your participation can help shape early research on how kelp cultivation may fit within Orkney's marine environment.

Whether you have family stories linked to kelp, or are simply interested in Orkney's marine future, Elaina would love to hear from you.

If you would like to join us, please email erk4000@hw.ac.uk

Stromness Museum@stromnessmuseum· Jul 6

Pupils from Stronsay Junior High School enjoyed a school trip to Stromness Museum before the end of term, where they encountered the Stronsay Beast, came face-to-face with Dr John Rae, and learned about Orkney’s maritime, social and natural history! 🌊 ⚓️ 🐋

Two girls viewing partial remains of the Stronsay beast

Two girls next to the model of Dr John Rae

School group in the Hudsons Bay Co. history section listening to your guide.

School group in the maritime and social history section listening to your guide.

Stromness Museum@stromnessmuseum· Jul 5

There are still tickets available for our Shoreline Ramble this Wednesday 8 July 🌊 🐚 🦀 stromnessmuseum.org.uk/whatson/2026...

Photo of group of people on a shoreline ramble

Stromness Museum@stromnessmuseum· Jul 5

Our website is back online! And Stromness Museum is open today on this sunny Sunday from 11am until 4pm. ☀️

Image 1: photo of Brass butterfly key for winding up wall clock. From German Fleet, SMS Hindeburg. 48mm long. From Th. Staebe Elbing, Germany. Found at Scapa Flow.

Stromness Museum@stromnessmuseum· Jul 4

Although our website is still temporarily down, Stromness Museum remains open as usual: 10am-5pm on Mon-Sat & 11am-4pm on Sun. We're hopeful that our website issues will be resolved by the end of today. In the meantime, please enjoy some analogue entertainment from this One Man Band in Stromness.

Black & white photo: One Man Band in Stromness.

Stromness Museum@stromnessmuseum· Jul 3

We’re currently experiencing a temporary website issue and are working on getting it back up and running soon. Stromness Museum is still operating as normal and our doors remain open for visitors 10am-5pm on Mon-Sat and 11am-4pm on Sun.

Cover of Stromness Museum booklet, 1963. ©️ Stromness Museum

Stromness Museum@stromnessmuseum· Jul 3

Biology teacher Henry Memmott treated us to a wonderfully engaging and informative talk on bird skulls yesterday. We learned about bird evolution, species variation and creation, and got to handle some of the collection! 🔗 curious about bird skulls? See skullsite.com and the scans at phenome10k.org

Image 1: photo of the labelled bird skull collection laid out on a table.

Image 2: photo of Henry Memmott (centre) discussing the bird skulls with two attendees.

Image 3: photo of teenage boy holding a bird skull in front of his face.

Stromness Museum@stromnessmuseum· Jul 2

Our spiny lobster inspired artist Megumi Barrington Uenoyama’s Wave Lobster/Nami Lobster shown @pierartscentre.bsky.social’s Soulisquoy Printmakers - New Prints exhibition of limited-edition prints: shorturl.at/4exba Megumi’s print is available to buy @pierartscentre.bsky.social 🦞

Image 1: photo of a spiny lobster from the zoology collection. crustacea.

Image 2: image of Megumi Barrington Uenoyama’s print: Wave Lobster/Nami Lobster © the artist

Stromness Museum@stromnessmuseum· Jul 1

We recently welcomed David Stirrup, Prof. of American Lit. & Indigenous Studies of York.ac.uk and Metis scholar Chris Andersen of UAlberta.ca with the project team of 'Metis: A Global Indigenous People'. Our Honorary Curator Janette Park and Elsa Cox of Arctic.scot gave the group a guided tour...

Landscape photo of a large group of people standing before the front door of Stromness Museum, all looking directly towards the camera.

Stromness Museum@stromnessmuseum· Jun 30

Tickets for our Bird Skulls talk by Henry Memmott this Thursday evening are now sold out! Apologies to anyone who's disappointed, but you'll find plenty of other forthcoming activities with Stromness Museum via our What's On page: stromnessmuseum.org.uk/whatson

Stromness Museum@stromnessmuseum· Jun 27

Read the latest update about the #ShooglyHolm floating sculpture and sea-life hotel project with artist Jenny Pope 🦀🐚🌊 www.stromnessmuseum.org.uk/whatson/2025...

Jenny Pope standing in a gazebo, holding her floating sculpture.

The floating sculpture in seawater with a diver standing next to it.

A crowd of people at the floating sculpture launch event in April 2026.

A colour swatch of the sculpture’s painted colours on sail cloth.

Stromness Museum@stromnessmuseum· Jun 26

Get your own desktop version of an iconic Orkney landmark with a 3D printed Birsay Whalebone model. Sales help the Birsay Heritage Trust raise funds for a bronze replica where the original stood until a storm in 2023. 🐳 On sale in our shop as part of our Sea Stories exhibition: shorturl.at/JYIUB

Close-up photo of a 3D printed Birsay Whalebone model on a stone floor with the sea and horizon in the background.

Stromness Museum@stromnessmuseum· Jun 24

Join us for a free, family-friendly Seaweed Arts & Crafts workshop with artist Jenny Pope over stromnessshoppingweek.co.uk. Discover Orkney's seaweeds, the #ShogglyHolm floating sculpture & sea life hotel and get creative about seaweed at Stromness @orkneylibrary.bsky.social ℹ️: shorturl.at/vVyxw

Photo of Jenny Pope kneeling beside a rockpool with seaweed on the ground around her.

Stromness Museum@stromnessmuseum· Jun 24

cultureforclimate.scot recently gathered Orkney artists, academics, cultural organisations & others to explore creative collaboration in building climate resilience. Our Engagement Officer Sam Stringer led a nature connection workshop for attendees. Read a reflection of the day at: shorturl.at/XQsND

A crowd of people gathered around Sam Stringer speaking in the front garden of King St Halls, Kirkwall.

INDIVIDUAL. Sam Stringer, Natural History Collections Project Outreach & Engagement Facilitator, Stromness Museum, led a mindful nature connection workshop.
‘Nature connection builds personal resilience for our physical and mental health and wellbeing, as we can learn lessons from the ways nature adapts to changing environments. Connecting to nature has been shown to improve mood and sleep, reduce feelings of stress and loneliness and improve confidence and self-esteem. Our activity helped us focus on our surroundings, work towards a common purpose and create time and space to bring attention and perspective.’ – Sam Stringer

Stromness Museum@stromnessmuseum· Jun 24

Today: Wednesday 24 June 2026 | 6.30 - 7.30pm plus networking. Join Heriot-Watt and Project Seagrass at the Robert Rendall Building, Stromness for an evening of talks exploring Orkney's seagrass meadows.

Today: Wednesday 24 June 2026 | 6.30 - 7.30pm plus networking.

Join Heriot-Watt and Project Seagrass at the Robert Rendall Building, Stromness in for an evening of talks exploring Orkney's seagrass meadows.

Stromness Museum@stromnessmuseum· Jun 23

It’s sunshine and rainbows in Stromness this #pride month! #pridemonth 🌈 ☀️ 🏳️‍🌈

Photo of the pride flag billowing in the wind, flying on a flagpole in front of a row of houses next to the sea.

Stromness Museum@stromnessmuseum· Jun 22

On this day in 1919, Rear Admiral Ludwig von Reuter led the Imperial German Navy to scuttle the High Seas Fleet interned in Scapa Flow. 52 of 74 ships sank. Most were later salvaged but 7 remain. The site is now a marine protected area. Learn more in our online exhibitions: stromnessmuseum.org.uk

Stromness Museum@stromnessmuseum· Jun 21

Happy summer solstice! ☀️ This longest day lasts until approximately 10.30pm in Orkney. 🌞 #summersolstice #summersolstice2026 📷: an Orkney sunset, date unknown. Hourston Photographic Collection ©️ Stromness Museum

Black and white photo of a seascape Orkney sunset, date unknown. Hourston Photographic Collection ©️ Stromness Museum

Stromness Museum@stromnessmuseum· Jun 19

The Stromness Good Templars composed a catchy song as a rallying cry for the local temperance movement: 🎶 From alcohol, the nation’s curse For ever, set it free, No more let Stromness streets resound To drunken revelry! 🎵

STROMNESS PUBS
Song of the Good Templars
Upon the solid ground of right Ye Stromness Templars stand,
And work together with your might To save your native land.
From alcohol, the nation's curse
For ever, set it free,
No more let Stromness streets resound
To drunken revelry.
Unfurl your banner to the breeze
And march throughout the town,
The first you've got to do is put McPherson Brothers down.
'Twill be a feather in your cap,
A thing of lasting joy,
Whenyou have slain in fair good fight
The whisky "Man O' Hoy".
Close to the whisky "Man O' Hoy"
There is a drinking shop,
But put a noble effort forth
Its whisky trade to stop.
All Christian people in the town
Approvingly willhear, The name of Clouston's will no more
On licensed lists appear.
You'll go and stop the Brewery That's held by Sandy Flett, We hope to see the premises
For better purpose let,
And in a noble business way
A better trade begin,
No more let any market green
Behold his tent of sin.
The gentry of the White Horse Inn
Have held sway long enough,
And many a reeking hogshead's sold
Of the accursed stuff,
And in their house full many a seed
Of evil, has been sown,
We trust that Marwick's licensed house
Will soon become unknown.
Commercial and the mason's Arms
Of whisky sweep them clear,
That from their bars, may jolly tars
Have nothing more to fear.
Instead of sickening whisky fumes
The song and ribald jest May in these stately buildings reign
Peace, Quietness and Rest.

Stromness Museum@stromnessmuseum· Jun 19

Thirsty #TartanArmy members struggling to find Boston bars with any beer left should thank their lucky stars they’re not in 1920’s Stromness after the Good Templars had successfully campaigned to turn the town ‘dry’, which lasted for nearly 30 years! 🍻⚽ #FIFAWorldCup #worldcup #scotland

Black & white photo: From waist up 3 men from the Stromness Templars wearing suits and sashes pose for the camera in front of a window. Behind them, the faces of some women can be seen looking out from behind the window. Photo by R. H. Robertson taken 1898-1912. Sashes were purple velvet with gold fringe, rosette fastening at front. Badges, embroidered. IGOT on left and DDGCT on right.

Stromness Museum@stromnessmuseum· Jun 19

1 week to go until our first family-friendly Shoreline Ramble of 2026! We'll connect our natural history collection with the Stromness shoreline, looking at some research collections before walking the Stromness coast in search of stromatolites, seashells, seaweed and more! 🌊🦀🐚 ℹ️ shorturl.at/Aq8ex

Graphic that reads: The next Shoreline Ramble is next Fri 26 June at 1pm!

Stromness Museum@stromnessmuseum· Jun 17

Join us for an evening of talking bird skulls with biology teacher Henry Memmott on Thu 2 Jul. Henry donated his bird skulls collection to Stromness Museum and has volunteered to tell us more about them at this free event. 🦉🦢🐦‍⬛ Find out more and book your tickets here: shorturl.at/bVmvA