Stroma, Scotland Island
Small Orkney island in Pentland Firth, mostly uninhabited
A small island in the Pentland Firth off northern Scotland, Stroma attracts birdwatchers and boat visitors for seabird colonies, ruined crofting houses and lighthouse views; access requires chartered boats from the mainland.
Stroma, Scotland at a Glance#
About Stroma, Scotland#
Stroma is a small, low-lying island in the Pentland Firth off the northern coast of mainland Scotland, in the historic county of Caithness. The island was formerly inhabited but is effectively uninhabited today.
Remains of croft houses, stone walls and a few service buildings are visible around the island, and the coastline is known for strong currents and rough seas that constrained both historic settlement and modern access. The island’s ruins and maritime location attract interest from people studying depopulation and coastal heritage.
Stroma supported a small community for centuries but saw steady decline in the 19th and 20th centuries; the last permanent residents left in the early 1960s and the population never recovered. Buildings have since fallen into ruin and the island is used mainly for grazing and as a natural heritage site.
The island lies in the Pentland Firth between the Orkney Islands and the Scottish mainland, close to the mouth of the firth off Caithness; it is exposed to the North Sea and positioned between John o’ Groats on the mainland and the Orkney entrance.
- Access: There is no regular public ferry service to the island; access is by private boat only and landing points are exposed to strong tidal currents in the Pentland Firth.
How to Get to Stroma, Scotland#
Access to Stroma is by private boat from northern mainland harbours; there are no regular public ferry services. Boat operators in the northern Highlands and Orkney sometimes run charters and wildlife trips that include passes by Stroma; check local harbours for licensed operators and safety advice.
Tips for Visiting Stroma, Scotland#
- If ferrying to the island, check schedules carefully - services can be irregular and weather-dependent.
- Bring cash and sturdy footwear; the island's terrain is rocky and services are minimal to non-existent.
- Look for the tide-cut marks and the seabird colonies along the cliffs; binoculars are worthwhile.
Best Time to Visit Stroma, Scotland#
Best in summer for reliable access and wildlife-watching; avoid winter when crossings can be dangerous and services are nonexistent.
Weather & Climate near Stroma, Scotland#
Stroma, Scotland's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with cool summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 2°C to 15°C. Abundant rainfall (1042 mm/year), wettest in November.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 2° - 7° | 0° | 109 mm | overcast | 86% | 7.3 m/s | 0.0 low | 6.9h |
| February | Poor | 2° - 6° | -1° | 83 mm | overcast | 85% | 7.0 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.1h |
| March | Poor | 2° - 7° | 5° | 96 mm | overcast | 85% | 6.9 m/s | 0.2 low | 11.6h |
| April | Poor | 3° - 8° | 2° | 62 mm | overcast | 84% | 6.1 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 14.2h |
| May | Acceptable | 5° - 10° | 5° | 53 mm | overcast | 82% | 5.5 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 16.6h |
| June | Acceptable | 7° - 13° | 8° | 53 mm | overcast | 83% | 5.2 m/s | 1.1 high | 17.9h |
| July | Acceptable | 9° - 14° | 12° | 62 mm | overcast | 84% | 4.8 m/s | 1.1 high | 17.2h |
| August | Acceptable | 10° - 15° | 12° | 72 mm | overcast | 85% | 4.8 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 15.1h |
| September | Acceptable | 8° - 13° | 11° | 98 mm | overcast | 85% | 5.8 m/s | 0.4 low | 12.6h |
| October | Poor | 7° - 11° | 6° | 116 mm | overcast | 85% | 6.5 m/s | 0.2 low | 10.0h |
| November | Poor | 4° - 9° | 2° | 124 mm | overcast | 86% | 6.7 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.6h |
| December | Poor | 3° - 8° | 1° | 114 mm | overcast | 86% | 6.8 m/s | 0.0 low | 6.2h |
