Graemsay

Orkney's Green Isle







Graemsay is located in the Western approaches to 'Scapa Flow' lying between Stromness on Orkney mainland and the North end of Hoy.
There are two lighthouses, Hoy High to the East and Hoy Low to the West. Both were built & designed by Alan Stevenson of the famous lighthouse engineering family and were commissioned in 1851.

The current population is twenty two permanent residents, including two youngsters aged 13yrs and 15yrs who travel daily by ferry to attend Stromness Academy.The islands school was closed in 1996 and is currently for
sale and open to offers.

Large parts of the island have been left largely undeveloped and are a haven for many wild plants.

Most of the island is on mains water which is piped from the island of Hoy though some still have access to private piped spring water.

There are no shops on the island apart from the post office which opens two hours per day on just three days per week from 07:30 to 09:30 for pensions and postal services.
Mail is collected and delivered on a daily basis, six days per week.

With almost half of the islands population being of high risk to the covid 19 due to age or medical problems there has been some lifestyle changes made but life is still good with some noticing no difference in the way of life apart from their shopping being delivered.