Stroma

Stroma is an island on the northern coast of the Scottish mainland. It is the more southerly of the two islands situated in the Pentland Firth between the Orkney Islands and Caithness. As such it is part of Caithness (now within the Highland council area), while its neighbour Swona, to the north, is part of the Orkney Islands. The name originated from the Norse straum-øy meaning "island in the stream" or "current". There is a lighthouse at the northern end of the island to warn ships away from the dangers of the nearby Swilkie whirlpool. Once populous, this uninhabited island is owned by a Caithness farmer who uses it for the grazing of sheep. Stroma is about 3.5 kilometres long by 1.5 kilometres wide with a maximum elevation of 53 metres (174 ft).