The island of Stroma, which in the Norse means ‘Island in the Stream’, is the southern of the two islands situated in the Pentland Firth between the Orkney Islands and Caithness on the Scottish mainland. As such it is part of Caithness while its neighbour, Swona, to the north, is part of the Orkney Islands. The Pentland Firth, which is actually more like a strait than a firth, separates the Orkney Islands from the northern tip of the Scottish Highland region around Caithness. ... The Orkney Islands form one of 32 unitary council regions in Scotland, and are a Lieutenancy Area. ... Caithness is a traditional county and former administrative county which is now within the Highland area of Scotland. ... The island of Swona (Norse for “Swains Island”) is the northern of the two islands situated in the Pentland Firth between the Orkney Islands and Caithness on the Scottish mainland. ...

The island was populated for a number of years, with a maximum population of about 550 reduced to around 375 in 1901. The last two families left around 1962 with the majority having left shortly before to seek employment on the recently started construction of the Dounreay power station. Ironically this was shortly after the construction of the new harbour at the south end of the island. The Lighthouse at the Northern end of the island was automated in 1996 removing the last human presence. The island is owned by a Caithness farmer and being uninhabited is used for the grazing of sheep. The original slipway at the north eastern part of the island is still used for transporting the sheep to the mainland. The boat used for this can be seen, when not in use, out of the water at the end of the slipway.

The number of ruined houses show how well populated the island was at one time. In the centre of the island is the 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. At the south east corner, not far from the new harbour, can be seen the walled graveyard with the remains of what was probably a chapel. Visitors are not particularly encouraged; however, with the permission of the owner, it is possible to get across for the day. Having been uninhabited for so long Stroma is now a conservation area.

Being situated in the tidal stream in the Pentland Firth a tidal race is present at both the North and South ends of the island being minimal 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-witch turning the mill wheels which ground the salt to keep the seas salty. Between the races is a calm eddy which extends down tide as the tide strengthens. The races are highly visible with over falls and whirlpools. Large swell waves can also be present, especially in bad weather conditions. When entering or leaving the eddies crossing the races even large powerful vessels can be pushed off course, such is the demarcation between the relatively calm eddy and the fast moving tide in the races.

There are about sixty known wrecks around Stroma the latest of which, the Danish coaster ‘Bettina Danica’ occurred in January 1993. Fortunately no lives were lost and the vessel remained relatively intact until 1997. At present (2005) 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.

Being uninhabited there is no regular access to the island however the ferry from Gills Bay, near John O’Groats, to St Margaret’s Hope usually passes close to the island. Which side of the island it passes on is dependant on the tidal direction at the time. A boat from John O’Groats also visits the island on wildlife adventure tours during the summer months.