Stronsay Island
Scottish Orkney island known for wildlife and beaches
Off Orkney's northeast coast, Stronsay is a small island with sandy bays, seal colonies and quiet country roads; visitors come for birdwatching, boat trips and visits to island farms.
Stronsay at a Glance#
About Stronsay#
Stronsay is an inhabited island in the Orkney archipelago of northern Scotland. It is one of the smaller inhabited Orkney islands and is noted locally for its coastal scenery and beaches.
Visitors find sandy bays, sea cliffs and sheltered harbors that are used for walking, birdwatching and small-boat activities. The island has scattered settlements and a compact footprint, so most points of interest are within short drives or walks.
The island has a long history of Norse and Scottish settlement and a traditional economy based on fishing and crofting. Archaeological remains and older place names reflect that mixed heritage.
Stronsay lies within Orkney, northeast of Mainland Orkney; the island is served by Orkney Ferries and by scheduled flights from Kirkwall.
- Getting there: Regular scheduled ferry and small-plane services connect with Kirkwall on Mainland Orkney; services are weather dependent.
How to Get to Stronsay#
Stronsay (Orkney) is served by Orkney inter-island transport. You can reach Stronsay by scheduled Orkney Ferries services from Kirkwall and other Orkney islands, and by short flights operated to Stronsay Airport from Kirkwall by regional carriers. On the island distances are small and local roads connect settlements and ferry/airport terminals.
Tips for Visiting Stronsay#
- Plan transport and schedules carefully: Stronsay is served by Orkney inter-island services (scheduled ferries and regional flights from Kirkwall), and both run infrequently, so book crossings and accommodation well in advance.
- Visit in late spring or early summer for seabird breeding activity and long daylight hours; the island is very quiet outside peak season, so check service timetables before setting out.
Best Time to Visit Stronsay#
Late spring to early autumn is the best time for more settled weather, wildlife and reliable transport links.
Weather & Climate near Stronsay#
Continental climate with cool summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 2°C to 15°C. Abundant rainfall (1048 mm/year), wettest in November.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 3° - 7° | 0° | 109 mm | overcast | 82% | 8.3 m/s | 0.0 low | 6.7h |
| February | Poor | 2° - 7° | -1° | 85 mm | overcast | 82% | 7.9 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.0h |
| March | Poor | 3° - 7° | 0° | 97 mm | overcast | 83% | 7.7 m/s | 0.2 low | 11.6h |
| April | Poor | 4° - 9° | 2° | 63 mm | overcast | 84% | 6.6 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 14.3h |
| May | Acceptable | 6° - 11° | 5° | 50 mm | overcast | 85% | 5.8 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 16.8h |
| June | Acceptable | 8° - 13° | 10° | 54 mm | overcast | 87% | 5.4 m/s | 1.2 high | 18.2h |
| July | Acceptable | 10° - 14° | 12° | 60 mm | overcast | 88% | 5.1 m/s | 1.1 high | 17.5h |
| August | Acceptable | 10° - 15° | 12° | 71 mm | overcast | 88% | 5.2 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 15.3h |
| September | Poor | 9° - 14° | 11° | 100 mm | overcast | 86% | 6.3 m/s | 0.4 low | 12.6h |
| October | Poor | 7° - 11° | 6° | 117 mm | overcast | 84% | 7.2 m/s | 0.1 low | 10.0h |
| November | Poor | 5° - 9° | 3° | 126 mm | overcast | 82% | 7.6 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.4h |
| December | Poor | 4° - 8° | 1° | 116 mm | overcast | 82% | 7.8 m/s | 0.0 low | 5.9h |
