Stromness meeting to consider bicentenary celebrations

A meeting in Stromness this evening will discuss how the town could celebrate the 200th anniversary of the town being named a Burgh of Barony.

The meeting, in the Stromness Library, at 6pm,  will be an opportunity for all members of the public to come forth with suggestions as to how they think the community should mark the occasion.

Following a century of increasing tension between Stromness and the Royal Burgh of Kirkwall, in 1815, a petition was put forward for the town to acquire the status of Burgh of Barony. On February 18, 1817, the petition was granted and, shortly after, the election of the first Town Council was held.

With other Stromness anniversaries also taking place next year, including 150 years of the Stromness Lifeboat, members of the community council believe that all townsfolk should work together to create a year of celebration.