Stromness Museum
Stromness Museum, founded in 1837, is Orkney’s oldest independent museum and one of its most characterful. Housed in a former merchant’s building near the harbour, it reflects Stromness’s long history as a seafaring town. A particularly intriguing fact is its strong connection to Arctic exploration: many Orcadians served on whaling ships and polar expeditions, and the museum holds rare artefacts linked to John Rae, the Orcadian explorer who uncovered the fate of Franklin’s lost expedition. Inside, the galleries are packed with maritime treasures—ship models, navigational instruments, whaling tools and personal belongings from sailors who travelled far beyond Orkney’s shores. The natural history collection adds another layer, featuring birds, marine life and geological specimens that reveal the islands’ environment. One standout display is the collection of Inuit artefacts brought back by Rae, offering a rare glimpse into Arctic cultures through clothing, tools and carvings. The museum also explores Stromness’s role in wartime, with items from the naval base at Scapa Flow, including salvaged pieces from German ships scuttled in 1919. Its intimate rooms and eclectic displays create a sense of discovery, making Stromness Museum a rich, atmospheric stop for anyone interested in Orkney’s global connections and local heritage.
Stromness Scotland
Stromness Museum is in Stromness, the second town of Mainland Orkney in the Orkney Islands, Scotland. It's a lovely little independent museum right on the waterfront in the old stone town. The address is Stromness Museum, 52 Alfred Street, Stromness KW16 3DH. It sits just off the winding main street, close to the harbour where the ferry comes in from Scrabster. Inside it is packed with maritime history, natural history, fossils, Hudson's Bay Company stories and artefacts from the scuttled German High Seas Fleet in Scapa Flow. Because it is in Stromness you have a lot on the doorstep. Right next door is the Pier Arts Centre, a great modern art gallery with a permanent collection and changing shows. The harbour itself is worth a wander, with its old jetties and narrow lanes. A short walk takes you to the Stromness waterfront and out towards the west coast. Not far away you have Skaill House and the famous Neolithic village of Skara Brae at the Bay of Skaill, which shares a ticket with Skaill House. Close by are Yesnaby cliffs, the Broch of Borwick, the Ring of Brodgar and the Stones of Stenness, all part of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney. Back towards Kirkwall you can visit St Magnus Cathedral and the Bishop's and Earl's Palaces on Watergate, plus the Orkney Museum in Tankerness House.
Museum