Home
 About Orkney
 History
 Tradition
 Folklore
 Placenames
 Images
 Downloads
 About the Site
 Contact 
 Links 
 Search Site 
 Awards
 
  Jo Ben's 1529 "Descriptions of Orkney"

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"

 

Section Contents

Back a page