Stroma, Scotland
The island of
Stroma is the southernmost of the two islands situated in the
Pentland Firth between the
Orkney Islands and
Caithness on the northern coast of the
Scottish mainland. As such it is part of Caithness, while its neighbour
Swona, to the north, is part of the Orkney Islands. The name originated from the
Norse straum-øy meaning Island in the Stream or Current. The island is owned by a Caithness farmer and being uninhabited is used for the grazing of sheep. Stroma is about 3.5 kilometres long by 1.5 kilometres wide with a maximum elevation of 53 metres.
In the past Stroma had a population of about 550, which by 1901 had reduced to around 375. The population continued to decline through the twentieth century with the majority of the last residents departing in the early 1960's to seek employment on the construction of the
Dounreay power station. The last two families left around 1962. Ironically this was shortly after the construction of a new harbour at the south end of the island.
The number of ruined houses show how well populated the island was at one time. In the centre of the island is a church, distinguished by its bell-tower. Situated next to the church is the Manse which is kept habitable for use by those visiting the island to care for the sheep, particularly at lambing time. At the south east corner, not far from the new harbour, is a walled graveyard with mausoleum, which is the tomb of the Kennedy family that owned the island in the 1600's. Having been uninhabited for so long Stroma is now a conservation area with an area fenced off from the sheep to protect the rare plants which grow there.
The original slipway at the north eastern part of the island is still in use with the boat used to transport the sheep pulled out of the water for the winter. During the summer months this boat and another one are used to take day visitors to the island from Gills Bay as well as those working with the sheep.
As it is situated in the tidal stream in the Pentland Firth, a
tidal race is present at both the North and South ends of the island, easing briefly at the turn of the tide. The race at the north end, known as 'The Swilkie' off Swilkie Point, can be particularly violent. The whirlpool of the same name was, according to a Viking legend, caused by a sea-king called
Mysing turning the mill wheels which ground the salt to keep the seas salty. Between the races is a calm eddy which extends down tide as the tide strengthens. The races are easily visible with over falls and whirlpools. Large swell waves can also be present, especially in bad weather. When entering or leaving the eddies, even large powerful vessels can be pushed off course.
There are about sixty known wrecks around Stroma, the latest of which, the Danish coaster
Bettina Danica occurred in January 1993. Fortunately no lives were lost and the vessel remained intact until about 1997. As of 2006 only the stern section can be seen on its side at the foot of the cliffs on the west side of the island near its southern tip.
In 2004, a group of 13 on an Island tour boat was rescued by lifeboat [
1].
The dangers of the whirlpool lead to the building of the Stroma Lighthouse at the northern tip of the island at the end of the nineteenth century. The light was designed by
David A. and
Charles Alexander Stevenson and was completed in
1896. The Lighthouse was automated in 1996, which removed the last human presence.
Being uninhabited there is usually no regular access to the island however the ferry from Gills Bay to
St Margaret's Hope, near
John o' Groats, usually passes close to the island. A boat from John o' Groats also visits the island on wildlife adventure tours during the summer months. There exist outline plans to connect Orkney to the Scottish mainland by tunnel; two of the possible routes are across Stroma[
2].
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Stroma*
Stroma Lighthouse*
Aerial photos of Stroma
