STROMNESS MUSEUM

The Building

Stromness museum was founded in 1837 with the creation of the Orkney Natural History Society. It remains an independent museum and is run for the community by a group of trustees.

The building dates from 1858, when it was built to serve the joint function of Museum and Stromness town hall.

The museum then occupied only the first floor, but now occupies the whole building.

The museum is bounded on one side by the main street of the town, and by the harbour on the other. A shingle beach runs down from the front door to the sea.

Inside, the museum has recently undergone a major restoration.It still however, retains its Victorian atmosphere.

The Lower Gallery

The lower gallery is full of exhibits relating to the local fishing industry, relics of the German High Seas Fleet (famously scuttled in nearby Scapa Flow in 1919) and numerous items relating to the "Nor' Wast" - the 19th century links between Orkney and Canada, involving the Hudson's Bay Company.

Particularly interesting is material concerning Orcadian Arctic explorer John Rae - who was the first European to learn, from Inuit hunters, the fate of the Franklin Expedition to the North-West passage in 1845.

This gallery also annually houses new temporary exhibitions, generally illustrating some aspect of local history.

The Upper Gallery

The upper gallery has recently undergone a major refurbishment and again puts on display the Society's fine collection of Orkney bird specimens. Also displayed, in new purpose-built cases, are extensive displays of marine life and of local fossils.

The Pilot's House

The Pilot's House is an award winning project which houses Inuit, whaling and maritime exhibits, as well as a reconstruction of the pilot's own living room.

The pilots were local sailors who sailed out to the big ships visiting the port, to conduct the ships into port safely. The building is adjacent to the museum, on the pier, and when funding became available some years ago, it was annexed, and restored.

Recent Building Work

In addition to the annexation of the pilot's house, as is described above, other major building works have been necessary to secure the museum for the new century.

These have enabled us to reopen the upstairs natural history galleries again.

Thank you for visiting.

We look forward to meeting you
when you visit the museum!

Stromness Musuem
52 Alfred Street
Stromness
Orkney
Scotland

Tel:+44(0)1856 850025

One of the oldest museums in Scotland, run independently by Orkney Natural History Society.

Become a friend: We would like to invite you to become a friend of Orkney Natural History Society.

Become a friend and you will help to ensure the long-term future of Stromness Museum.