Flotta Travel Guide - Scotland

Located between the Orkney Islands of Hoy and South Ronaldsay, Flotta rose to prominence during the First World War. Prior to this time it was a quiet farming community with businesses focusing of dressmaking, blacksmithing and carpentry. The navy used this area extensively during both world wars and a training camp was built on the Golta Peninsula. Today, Flotta is the setting for the oil terminal and the flame from the fire stack is easily seen at night.

Flotta is one of the easiest islands for visitors to reach because of the car ferry, which links the island from both Houton on the mainland and Lyness on the Island of Hoy. Many people come to Flotta to see the large oil terminal, but many others come for the spectacular scenery. It is the only location from which you can see both Stromness and Kirkwall at the same time. It has a 360-degree panoramic view of the sea.

The land on Flotta is relatively flat, making it perfect for those who like to walk and explore the countryside while on vacation. In fact the name comes from a Norse word meaning "flat". This area is home to many flocks of sheep grazing on the fields and this is an impressive sight. The sight of the tugs and the boats from the harbor is also very picturesque. The most cherished relic of Flotta is the Flotta Stone, but it is in a museum in Edinburgh. This stone comes from a ruin, thought to be of an ancient church built in the 10^th century.