STROMNESS
Stromness
is another parish, and has a safe harbour; here is the best exit
for a fleet.
The French and Spaniards often times
shelter from tempests here. Here no winds can do damage to ships.
In this place is a harbour called
Cairstane, because it is made safe by stones. Beneficial winds here
blow called Etesian (winds which blow for about forty days every
year about the dog days).
Here there is a very dangerous bridge
for travellers, named the Bridge of Vaith, where many perish*.
* - The Brig o' Waithe crosses the place
where the Stenness loch is connected to the sea. The name is from
Old Norse "vað" meaning "wading place"
or "ford"
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