Stromness
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Stromness /ˈstrɔmnəs/ is the second-largest town in the Orkney Islands, Scotland, and is located in the south west of the mainland of Orkney. A long-established seaport, it has a population of approximately 2,200 residents. The old town is clustered along the main street, flanked with houses and shops built from local stone, with narrow lanes and alleys branching off it. There is a ferry link from Stromness to Scrabster on the north coast of mainland Scotland.
Stromness became important during the late 17th century, when England was at war with France and shipping was forced to avoid the English Channel. Ships of the Hudson's Bay Company were regular visitors, as were whaling fleets. Stromness Museum reflects these aspects of the town's history.
Writer George Mackay Brown was born and lived most of his life in the town.
Stromness is referenced in the title of Sir Peter Maxwell-Davies's popular piano piece Farewell to Stromness, a piano interlude from The Yellow Cake Revue, first performed on 21 June 1980 at the Stromness Hotel by the composer as part of the St. Magnus Festival.
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