Inner Holm
Inner Holm is a small tidal islet lying in Stromness Harbour on the southwestern coast of Mainland Orkney, Scotland. It sits just offshore in the sheltered waters of the harbour, a short distance from the historic town of Stromness itself. The islet is part of the distinctive maritime character of Stromness, one of Orkney's most atmospheric and historically significant settlements. Though modest in size, Inner Holm contributes to the layered sense of place that makes Stromness harbour so visually compelling — a harbour defined by stone piers, fishing boats, and a scattering of small islets and rocks that break the surface of the sheltered bay. Together with its companion islet Outer Holm slightly further out, Inner Holm gives the anchorage its characteristic shape.
The town of Stromness itself has deep roots as a maritime hub. Its importance grew substantially during the era of the Hudson's Bay Company, which recruited heavily from Orkney: at one point Orcadians made up a large proportion of the Company's workforce in North America, and Stromness was their principal embarkation point. Vessels would call at Stromness for fresh water from Login's Well before crossing the North Atlantic. The waters in which Inner Holm sits therefore have genuine historical significance, having been navigated by generations of ships bound for the fur trade and Arctic exploration. The islet itself would have been a familiar landmark to countless sailors departing for North America and beyond over a span of nearly two centuries.
Physically, Inner Holm is a low rocky outcrop, largely covered in rough coastal vegetation — grasses, mosses, and the kind of hardy saltmarsh plants that colonise Orkney's windswept coastal margins. At low tide it is more fully exposed, its rocky flanks dark and barnacled, while at high tide the islet appears to sit lower in the water, its outline more compact. The surrounding harbour water is typically calm compared to the open sea beyond, sheltered by the curve of Mainland and the presence of Hoy to the south and west. The soundscape is one of water lapping, wind coming off the Flow, and the occasional cry of seabirds — oystercatchers and gulls are common in these inshore waters.
The broader landscape around Inner Holm is magnificent. Stromness sits on the edge of Hoy Sound with the dramatic hills of Hoy rising across the water to the southwest. The town itself is famous for its narrow flagstoned main street that winds along the waterfront, its buildings of local sandstone stepping down to piers and jetties. The wide stretch of Scapa Flow opens to the southeast, one of the great natural anchorages of northern Europe and itself a place of immense historical importance, particularly from the First and Second World Wars. Nearby landmarks include the Stromness Museum, the Pier Arts Centre, and the ferry terminal connecting Mainland Orkney to Scrabster on the Scottish mainland.
For visitors, Inner Holm is best appreciated from the Stromness waterfront and the town's various piers rather than as a destination in its own right — it is not publicly accessible as a managed visitor site. The islet can be viewed clearly during a walk along the harbourfront, which is one of the most rewarding short walks in Orkney. Stromness is reached by ferry from Scrabster (near Thurso) operated by NorthLink Ferries, or overland from Kirkwall via the A965. The best time to visit the area is late spring through early autumn, when the weather is milder and the long Orcadian days allow extended exploration, though the dramatic winter light has its own appeal for those prepared for the conditions.
One of the fascinating aspects of Inner Holm's setting is the geological context: the rocks of Orkney, including those forming islets like Inner Holm, are primarily Old Red Sandstone laid down around 380 million years ago in a vast ancient lake system. The layered, warm-toned stone is a defining feature of the Orkney landscape and gives the islands their characteristic colour in evening light. The inshore waters around Stromness are also excellent for wildlife, with grey seals regularly hauling out on rocks in the harbour area, and otters occasionally spotted along the shoreline — making even a quiet observation of the harbour from the town a potentially rewarding wildlife experience.