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Stroma, Scotland
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Stroma is an island on the northern coast of the Scottish mainland. It is the southernmost of the two islands situated in the Pentland Firth between the Orkney Islands and Caithness. As such it is part of Caithness (now within the Highland council area), 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". There is a lighthouse at the northern end of the island to warn ships away from the dangers of the nearby Swilkie whirlpool.
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Encyclopedia
Stroma is an island on the northern coast of the Scottish mainland. It is the southernmost of the two islands situated in the Pentland Firth between the Orkney Islands and Caithness. As such it is part of Caithness (now within the Highland council area), 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". There is a lighthouse at the northern end of the island to warn ships away from the dangers of the nearby Swilkie whirlpool. Once populous, this uninhabited island is owned by a Caithness farmer who uses it for the grazing of sheep. Stroma is about 3.5 kilometres long by 1.5 kilometres wide with a maximum elevation of .
Settlement
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 1960s to seek employment on the construction of the Dounreay power station. The last two families left around 1962. Coincidentally, 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 1600s. 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.
Dangerous currents
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. He stole a magical quern from King Frode, but Mysing's land subsequently sank near Stroma under the quern's weight. However, he continued to turn the mill wheels in the depths which grind the salt to keep the seas salty, and the noise of the whirlpool is the sea still roaring through it. 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 and powerful vessels can be pushed off course.
There are about sixty known shipwrecks around Stroma, the latest of which, the Danish coaster Bettina Danica occurred in 1994. 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 thirteen people on the island tour boat 'North Coast Explorer' was rescued by lifeboat.
Lighthouse
The dangers of the Swilkie whirlpool in the Pentland Firth 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 and Charles Stevenson, and has 80 steps to the top of the tower. The original Trotter-Lindberg petroleum spirit light was found to be insufficient for the location and was replaced with a stronger paraffin lamp.
The lighthouse buildings were machine-gunned by an enemy plane during World War II. No-one was injured during the attack, which took place on 22 February 1941, and the damage was easily repaired by the lightkeepers.
In 1972, the lighthouse was converted to electric operation, and a helicopter landing pad was built near the station to facilitate maintenance and the changeover of Keepers. In April 1994 conversion to automation began and this was completed in March 1997.
Transport
Being uninhabited, there is 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. Transport to the island can be arranged by contacting the owner - James Simpson.
Stamps
Local stamps have been issued for Stroma since 1962, following on the closure of the GPO sub-post office in 1958. The stamps served the many visitors to the island who wished to have their mail posted there, and carried to the nearest GPO Post Box at Huna, near Wick, on the mainland. These stamps are keenly sought after by collectors of British Locals.
Legend
According to legend, a dispute arose between the Earls of Caithness and Orkney over which county Stroma belonged to. To resolve the dispute, some venomous animals (possibly adders) were taken from Stroma to both Caithness and Orkney; those taken to Orkney died, and those taken to Caithness flourished. Therefore it was decided that Stroma belonged to Caithness.
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