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Stromness Museum

@stromnessmuseum.bsky.social

360 followers 170 following 160 posts

Stromness Museum is an independent museum based in Stromness, Orkney. We host special exhibitions and have a range of permanent galleries, welcoming visitors throughout the year.

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Stromness Museum @stromnessmuseum.bsky.social · May 15

Find out about Orkney's renewable energy origins in our new Powered By People exhibition. Hear stories from pioneers and passionate folk who’ve been part of groundbreaking work across the renewables sector, including its locally-based chain. Fri 16 May 2025 to 18 April 2026

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Stromness Museum @stromnessmuseum.bsky.social · 3d

Read all about it! Stromness Museum features in 3 articles in this week’s The Orcadian, which cover the recent #shooglyholm mooring launch, the new Stromness Energy Safari walking trail and the 'Astrolepis of Stromness' discovered by geologist Hugh Miller as the 'Orkney Object' in the newspaper. 🗞

Article in The Orcadian: ‘Underwater bug hotel open for business’.

Stromness Museum @stromnessmuseum.bsky.social · 4d

Local creative Samantha Clark spoke to artist Jenny Pope for 'The Life Boat' newsletter, to discuss the collaborative #ShooglyHolm project, finding resilience and buoyancy through making, and ‘Art in an Emergency’.
🔗: lifeboat.substack.com/p/art-in-an-emergency

#ShooglyHolmℹ️: tinyurl.com/3kzbrpjp

Shoogly Holm buoy marker, awaiting the floating sculpture.

Ceramic objects to be immersed in Stromness harbour, providing habitat for marine life.

Frame to be submerged as a mooring for the Shoogly Holm floating sculpture.

Stromness Museum @stromnessmuseum.bsky.social · 4d

We are open until 5.00pm today, despite #StormAmy. 'The Climate of Orkney' might be wet and windy, but it's dry and calm inside Stromness Museum!

'The Climate of Orkney' by Magnus Spence. Original 20-page pamphlet published in 1908 by the Journal of Scottish Meteorological Society, Third Series, Vol. XIV, no. XXV. Price 6d.

Reposted by Stromness Museum

Museums Galleries Scotland @museumsgalleriesscotland.org.uk · 5d

Happy Scottish Museums Day! Today we're celebrating the mighty efforts of the museum staff and volunteers who tirelessly research, conserve, interpret, display and promote Scotland’s #MightyObjects. A huge well done to the incredible people who make Scotland’s museums special!

#ScottishMuseumsDay

An adult with curly brown hair, wearing a cowboy hat, and a black t-shirt with "Deaf Staff" written on the back, stands on an elevated part of a boat, gazing out over the deck below.

An adult who has light skin and red hair and is wearing a green jumper holds a measuring tape against a green silk dress. A lamp shines an intense white light onto the dress.

A smiling adult with light skin, short brown hair, and a grey and brown beard holds a tool as they work on the inside of an upturned wooden boat.

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Stromness Museum @stromnessmuseum.bsky.social · 5d

Tomorrow’s planned story sharing event for the TRANSECTS project, focusing on whales and whaling, has been postponed.

It will now be on Sat 15 Nov 2025, in the Robert Rendall Lecture Theatre, ORIC, Stromness (the old academy buildings). Further details TBC. archaeologyorkney.com/2025/10/03/w...

UHI Archaeology Institute @uhiarchaeology.bsky.social · 19d

October's story sharing event in the TRANSECTS project focuses on whales and whaling in #Orkney.
#archaeology #history

Do you have a connection with whales or whaling in Orkney?

October's story sharing event in the TRANSECTS project focuses on whales and whaling in Orkney.

archaeologyorkney.com

Stromness Museum @stromnessmuseum.bsky.social · 5d

As today's #ScottishMuseumsDay coincides with many #StormAmy weather warnings, our #MightyObjects is the Fitzroy Barometer invented by meteorologist Admiral Robert Fitzroy, creator of the first weather forecasts and national Storm Warning Service for coastal communities, and first Met Office Chief.

Collage: Full length image & detail image of The Fitzroy Barometer

Admiral Robert Fitzroy (1805 – 1865) was a pioneering meteorologist who invented this barometer in 1854.

He became the first superintendent of a new government department dealing with meteorological matters. This is now known as The Met Office.

He created the first weather forecasts because he wanted to warn seaman and fishermen about incoming bad weather. In 1861 he introduced a national Storm Warning Service which warned coastal communities of storms. He also introduced the collecting of weather data from set locations around the British and Irish coasts. This was used for Daily Weather Reports which were sent out by telegraph.

Fitzroy recognised the need to understand the air pressure to successfully predict storm warnings. He encouraged the making of relatively inexpensive barometers which could be supplied to all the coastal weather stations.

Barometers which are often called Fitzroy barometers have suitable wording which describes the results of changes in the mercury column on the barometer. This was FitzRoy’s main claim to barometer fame.

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Reposted by Stromness Museum

Scottish Museums Federation @scottishmuseums.bsky.social · 5d

It’s #ScottishMuseumsDay! 🎉

This year’s theme is #MightyObjects – the biggest, tallest, heaviest & most surprising treasures in Scotland’s collections.

Head out, explore museums near & far, and share your monumental finds today! 🏛️✨

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Stromness Museum @stromnessmuseum.bsky.social · 10d

Some fantastic creations from artist Jenny Pope's #shooglyholm workshops with Orkney Blide Trust members, who were inspired by one of our shoreline rambles!

ℹ️: tinyurl.com/3kzbrpjp

(@creativescots.bsky.social & @artecology-iw.bsky.social)

Stromness Museum @stromnessmuseum.bsky.social · 11d

Sandy Kerr, ICIT Director @heriotwattuni.bsky.social, first came to Orkney in 1990 for a summer job in a crab factory. He now researches and supports the community benefits from renewable energy systems. See his role in Orkney’s renewable energy story in Powered by People: tinyurl.com/yyxjedvp

Sandy Kerr, Director of the International Centre of Island Technology, Heriot-Watt University Orkney Campus: https://www.orkney.com/life/industry/energy/meet-the-people

Stromness Museum @stromnessmuseum.bsky.social · 13d

New blog post: West Mainland youth dive into ocean conservation with Stromness Museum.

This dynamic new project exploring the intersection of oceans, wellbeing, and youth engagement was made possible through support from the Orkney Youth Local Action Group.

stromnessmuseum.org.uk/blog/west-ma...

A temperature monitoring buoy being placed in the sea by two snorkellers.

Stromness Museum @stromnessmuseum.bsky.social · 14d

There's still tickets available for Dr Tim Noble's free talk, 'Orkney's Offshore Dilemmas' this Thur 25 Sept at 7pm, as part of our Powered by People exhibition. ℹ️&🎟️: www.stromnessmuseum.org.uk/whatson/2025...

Part of hiclimatefest.co.uk #HiLocal #hiclimatefest #LetsDoNetZero #ScotClimateWeek

Reposted by Stromness Museum

Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 16d

History curious? You don't need to be in London (or the UK) to attend many Institute of Historical Research seminars, although if you're in Bloomsbury you'll enjoy doing so. Most are hybrid (online/in person). They're free, usually fortnightly and open to the public.

Starting this week:

Events

Stay up to date with the upcoming events organised or hosted by the Institute of Historical Research

www.history.ac.uk

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Reposted by Stromness Museum

UHI Archaeology Institute @uhiarchaeology.bsky.social · 19d

October's story sharing event in the TRANSECTS project focuses on whales and whaling in #Orkney.
#archaeology #history

Do you have a connection with whales or whaling in Orkney?

October's story sharing event in the TRANSECTS project focuses on whales and whaling in Orkney.

archaeologyorkney.com

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Stromness Museum @stromnessmuseum.bsky.social · 17d

Snorkelling to the #ShooglyHolm underwater sea-life hotel! 🤿

ℹ️: tinyurl.com/3kzbrpjp
📷 by Karen Boswarva & Katy Firth

(@creativescots.bsky.social, @jpopstudios.bsky.social & @artecology-iw.bsky.social )

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Stromness Museum @stromnessmuseum.bsky.social · 18d

‘It is the only certainly British specimen that still exists, and before it died it was part of the last pair in the country.’ A detailed thread on the demise of the Great Auk.

Philip Amies @amiesphilip.bsky.social · 18d

1813 a Great Auk killed at Papa Westray, Orkney, the penultimate Great Auk record for Britain. Which Miss Traill was kind enough to send Mr. Bullock the specimen for his London Museum?

www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/wor...

Stromness Museum @stromnessmuseum.bsky.social · 18d

The #ShooglyHolm sealife hotel is open! Thanks to all who helped build the mooring's ceramic village, and those who toasted its launch today with @jpopstudios.bsky.social, a wee dram and some homely Orkney poetry.
ℹ️: tinyurl.com/3kzbrpjp

(@creativescots.bsky.social & @artecology-iw.bsky.social )

Left to right: Jenny Pope, Dr Gareth Davies of Aquatera and Katy Firth of Stromness Museum

Far left: Ali Skene of Aquatera reading some Robert Rendall poetry

The boat securing the mooring, as the Graemsay boat passes behind it.

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Stromness Museum @stromnessmuseum.bsky.social · 19d

The #ShooglyHolm mooring is ready, and Poppy the dog is very excited! Join us tomorrow, Sat 20 Sep at 9-10am to toast its launch with a wee dram, some Orcadian poetry and a few words by artist @jpopstudios.bsky.social.

(@artecology-iw.bsky.social @creativescots.bsky.social)

Jenny Pope with Shoogly Holm and Poppy the dog.

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Stromness Museum @stromnessmuseum.bsky.social · 19d

Today @jpopstudios.bsky.social is working on the #ShooglyHolm mooring, inc. attaching community-made ceramics. Pop by to say hello before 3pm!

Project partners: oisf.org, blidetrust.org.uk, aquatera.co.uk, emec.org.uk, @creativescots.bsky.social, @artecology-iw.bsky.social, kerrianneflett.com

Jenny Pope & Katy Firth working on the mooring.

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Stromness Museum @stromnessmuseum.bsky.social · 20d

For hiclimatefest.co.uk & our Powered by People exhibition, we've made a fun Stromness Energy Safari with tern360.com. Walk the trail, crack the code & earn a certificate! Get your guides from us (1st 50 copies free, extra copies £3 each). 🔍⚡ #HiLocal #hiclimatefest #LetsDoNetZero #ScotClimateWeek

STROMNESS ENERGY SAFARI: A UNIQUE PUZZLE-SOLVING WALKING TRAIL THAT REVEALS STROMNESS’ EXTRAORDINARY ROLE IN THE
STORY OF ENERGY - SOLVE PUZZLES, UNCOVER HIDDEN FACTS AND FIND UNIQUE RUNES.

AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE AT STROMNESS MUSEUM, TRAIL COSTS £3.
£0.50 FROM EVERY SALE IS GIFTED TO SUPPORT LOCAL PROJECTS.
CAN YOU COMPLETE THE TRAIL AND CRACK THE CODE?

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Reposted by Stromness Museum

Scottish Museums Federation @scottishmuseums.bsky.social · 21d

Save the date! Scottish Museums Day is back on 3 October 2025! 🎉

We’ll be celebrating the incredible collections in Scotland’s museums, galleries, libraries, archives, & heritage sites.

This year’s theme drops soon. Stay tuned! 👀

#ScottishMuseumsDay

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Stromness Museum @stromnessmuseum.bsky.social · 21d

Join us this Fri 10am-3pm at the Museum, to see @jpopstudios.bsky.social completing the #ShooglyHolm mooring construction, inc. attaching community-made ceramics.

Project partners: oisf.org, blidetrust.org.uk, aquatera.co.uk, emec.org.uk, @creativescots.bsky.social & @artecology-iw.bsky.social.

SHOOGLY HOLM
Part II: Mooring Installation with artist Jenny Pope 19-20 Sept 2025

Everyone’s invited to drop in and see the installation of a new mooring and sea-life habitat in Stromness Harbour.

Outside Stromness Museum: Fri 19 Sept 10am-3pm
Public viewing of mooring construction completion, including the
attachment of community-made ceramic pieces fired by Kerrianne Flett, with Jenny Pope mortaring these inside frames donated by EMEC.

Outside Stromness Museum: Sat 20 Sept 9-11am
Launch of the floating sculpture with the help of a boat into Stromness Harbour. Jenny Pope will toast this underwater bug hotel with a wee dram, some Orcadian poetry and a few words.

Stromness Museum, 52 Albert St, Stromness, Orkney, KW16 3DH
Tel: 01856 850025
Email custodian@stromnessmuseum.org.uk
www.stromnessmuseum.org.uk

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Stromness Museum @stromnessmuseum.bsky.social · 22d

Tonight Kirsteen Stewart is talking @pierartscentre.bsky.social about her creative collaborations, inc. our Steps to Sustainability project. Kirsteen worked with us to produce new lines of textile products inspired by our natural history collection. orkneyartssociety.wordpress.com/2025/08/29/k...

Kirsteen Stewart on Creative Collaboration: Growing Fashion Through Partnerships

Join us in the Pier Arts Centre on Tuesday 16 September 2025 at 7.30pm, where fashion designer Kirsteen Stewart will share how creative collaboration has shaped her career, empowered communities, a…

orkneyartssociety.wordpress.com

Stromness Museum @stromnessmuseum.bsky.social · 24d

You can do more virtual strolling with our Digital Trails (www.stromnessmuseum.org.uk/resources/to...) and Nature Portal (www.stromnessmuseum.org.uk/nature-portal) 🥾

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Stromness Museum @stromnessmuseum.bsky.social · 25d

Please note that the launch on the morning of Sat 20 Sept 2025 is now scheduled for 9am-10am.

Stromness Museum @stromnessmuseum.bsky.social · 25d

Buddo is very excited by the prospect of your visit!

Neolithic Human figure carved from whalebone. Discovered at Skara Brae.

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