Stromness Shopping Week

Stromness Shopping Week Major News and Events for current Shopping Weeks, for years past see the website www.stromnessshoppingweek.co.uk Long may it continue!!

Stromness Shopping Week is a week long award winning festival which runs on the 3rd week of July every year. This year will be the biggest and best Stromness Shopping Week! The festival is run and organised by volunteers who make up the committee of 7 people. There is a lot of hard work and planning that goes on behind the scenes to keep Shopping Week running every year which would not be possible

without the committee and their continued support and determination to make it the success it is today. Local business' from around Orkney are a major contributor to Shopping Week in the support and funding they provide us with. And also, without all the visitors from far and near it wouldnt be such an eventful and successful week.

Seeing out the weekend is one of our committee members for whom Shopping Week is truly part of her DNA — our very own Da...
31/05/2026

Seeing out the weekend is one of our committee members for whom Shopping Week is truly part of her DNA — our very own Danielle.

Danielle joined the committee two years ago, but, Shopping Week has been woven into her family history since the day she was born. Her late mum, Andrina, made the Attendants’ dresses in 1989, and from then on went on to create the Queens’ and Flower Girls’ frocks right up until 2023.

Andrina’s legacy lives on through Danielle, who created Queen Annie’s dress in 2025 and is now working alongside Queen Arwen to bring her dream dress to life this year.

Danielle herself was once a Flower Girl and, along with her sister Kayleigh, was always part of the excitement that came with making dresses for the royal family each year.

As well as playing such a special and memory-making role in Shopping Week, Danielle also now gets to enjoy the celebrations with her own young family.

We are incredibly proud to have Danielle as part of our team, and proud too to be part of the legacy she has inherited and made so beautifully her own.

Photos show Danielle as a flower girl, her mum Andrina with some of the Queens she made dresses for, Danielle with her kids and finally, with Queen Annie last year(photo courtesy of Kirstin Shearer Photography.)




Sunday brings another dose of nostalgia, thanks to Volunteer Genya, whose connection to Stromness Shopping Week stretche...
31/05/2026

Sunday brings another dose of nostalgia, thanks to Volunteer Genya, whose connection to Stromness Shopping Week stretches back decades.

Although she’s been on the committee for the past two years, Genya’s Shopping Week story began much earlier. As a young girl, she took part in the mounted procession — pictured below with Douglas Wishart on the Shetland ponies Beauty and Gee-Gee, following Lynne O’Brien’s Majorettes.

Then, in 1989, Genya was chosen as one of the Shopping Week Attendants alongside Karen Watson, with Elaine Simpson as Queen. The attendants’ dresses that year were made by the late Andrina Wick — a memory Genya still treasures, recalling getting changed in the Town House before the big event.

Years later, another Shopping Week memory resurfaced when local lad Fraser Winterburn chose Stromness Shopping Week as the subject of his Fereday Project. Genya has shared a photograph of one of the interview questions he asked Andrina during his research.

Shopping Week has become a family tradition for Genya. Her partner, John, has played a key role for many years, escorting the Queen up the pier to the stage ahead of the Opening Ceremony. With his retirement from the RNLI later this year, this may be his final year carrying out the honour (and if you take a close look at one of Genya’s photos, you might see that Shopping Week Royal duties started at a young age for John as well.) Genya’s children have also loved being part of the festivities over the years — especially the famous Monday morning lifeboat ride-outs.

When asked why Shopping Week means so much to her, Genya said:

“I have been delighted to be part of the team, learning about the planning and organisation involved and helping out along the way.

Shopping Week was such an exciting time during my childhood, living in Stromness. It has also been so for my family.

Keeping the SSW tradition going was a big part of why I volunteered.

The SSW committee are most welcoming and friendly ✨😊”

Thank you for being part of the team Genya. We are lucky to have you on board. Also thank you John, for looking after our Royal Party so well over the years, 🥰




Slightly behind schedule with this Saturday night shout-out — this time to stalwart Sarah T! 🥳Sarah has been part of Sho...
30/05/2026

Slightly behind schedule with this Saturday night shout-out — this time to stalwart Sarah T! 🥳

Sarah has been part of Shopping Week, in various guises, for more years (decades 🤫) than she’d probably care to admit!

From organising the Harbour Swim, swimming in the Harbour Swim, MC-ing the doughnut eating competition, coordinating the Graham Place pit stop for the Round the Town Beer Race, and serving drinks at Ness House to the Jarl Squad back in the day — the list goes on and on.

Some of Sarah’s favourite memories include entering the Daft Raft Race as the iceberg that sank the Titanic 🚢❄️, attending every single Shopping Week event one year with her good pal Leigh, being lightning fast in the team beer race (although daughter Sav might now be overtaking her 🤣), and occasionally sneaking away from the restaurant to join in the beer race!

So, what does Shopping Week mean to Sarah?

“Bringing the community together from near and far, through high days and holidays — and always with lots of fun, surprises and entertainment.”

Thanks for everything you do, Sarah 💙

We hope you enjoy the selection of photos Sarah has provided us.




The weather forecast might not be bringing the sunshine but our next volunteer shout outs are definitely going to bright...
30/05/2026

The weather forecast might not be bringing the sunshine but our next volunteer shout outs are definitely going to brighten your weekend, starting of with Barbara!

While Barbara has been involved with the committee on and off for more than 25 years, helping with children’s events and stepping in as a marshal whenever needed, Shopping Week has long been part of life for the Merriman family.

Her husband Tony’s grandad, Rupert of R S Merriman, was one of the founding members of Shopping Week and was well known for rigging up the lights and sound for events over the years.

Tony’s dad, China, was also heavily involved — and many will still remember his legendary appearances on the Ladies Golf Club float!

Tony himself took part as a page boy a few decades ago and still vividly remembers at one point lying on the ground alongside lots of other children while police motorbikes jumped over them — nearly giving his poor Mum a funny turn.

Tony and Barbara’s children grew up loving all the Shopping Week activities, with the parade always being a particular favourite. Both girls were delighted to be flower girls over the years.

Barbara joined the committee to help with the children’s programme, continuing the family tradition of supporting such an important local festival.

As a company, R S Merriman has always been keen to support Shopping Week through sponsorship, technical equipment and practical help — and this year is no different, with Merrimans once again providing very generous sponsorship to help keep the spirit of Shopping Week alive.

Thanks Barbara, for being part of the team. But extra special thanks to all at R S Merriman, for continuing to hold Shopping Week dear to you all.

Spot Barbara in this committee photo from around 2001, with the 47th Culter Pipeband in the background. Second photo is of the Committee during one of the fabulous fetes that were held at Stenigar courtesy of Chris and the late Sheila Thomas (pictured). Photo credit to Lucie Thomas Breadman.
Some fabulous memories wrapped up in these pictures 🥰




Finishing off the Friday volunteer shout out; meet Paula. Whilst Paula doesn’t hail from Stromness, she has been to ever...
29/05/2026

Finishing off the Friday volunteer shout out; meet Paula.

Whilst Paula doesn’t hail from Stromness, she has been to every Shopping Week as far back as she can remember. It was a family affair, with Granny, Grandad, Mum, sisters, cousins, Aunties and Unclez.

Shopping week became part of Paula’s core childhood memories and now it’s the same for her kids with their extended family!

Paula’s daughter Ada, just loves to watch the Queen and Attendants each year, imagine her delight to get a photo with Queen Annie last year.

Whilst Paula helps out mostly with the Children’s committee, she’ll get stuck into anything we need assistance with, and has a great eye for detail. She volunteered to be part of the committee as she didn’t want to lose something that was such a valuable part of her childhood.

We are so glad she did! Thank you for everything you bring to the table Paula and we’ll have to make sure peedie Ada gets another Royal Photo this year 😍

Keep your eyes peeled for the volunteer posts this weekend, some serious nostalgia coming your way 🥰




Friday mornings volunteer cheer is for Kylie 🥳As a Stromness born and bred lass, Shopping week was a big part of her chi...
29/05/2026

Friday mornings volunteer cheer is for Kylie 🥳

As a Stromness born and bred lass, Shopping week was a big part of her childhood and she now loves taking her kids to all the fun things. Kylie joined the committee as she wanted to be able to help keep shopping week going; and, in her words “it’s great to be part of the committee”.

Kylie helps out on the children’s committee, but she is also a magnificent home-baker. You’ve never tasted a custard cream like it until you’ve sampled one of hers.

Now, we’re not saying you have to be an excellent provider of home bakes like Kylie or Karen, or a super fast beer drinker like Keely, to be on the committee, but it helps 🤪 And she’s right, it is great to be part of this committee!

2026 marks a special year for Kylie with Shopping Week, as her little boy Logan is one of our pageboys! We can’t wait to see him looking dapper in his peedie kilt!

Thanks Kylie, for being part of our crew, we appreciate everything you do 🤩

Thursday afternoon Volunteer Roll call is for our very own Sarah S.Sarah joined us in 2024 after the public shout out fo...
28/05/2026

Thursday afternoon Volunteer Roll call is for our very own Sarah S.

Sarah joined us in 2024 after the public shout out for support; her role on the committee is to organise and coordinate the Sporting Events as well as record the minutes during meetings.

Within the committee we separate out into sub committees, with each taking responsibility for things like children’s events, sporting events, music/entertainment and so on. It allows people to give really focussed support and then feed into the programme planning.

When asked for a core Shopping Week memory, she said, “one of my best memories of shopping week is Sheila Macintyre standing out through a sunroof in a car with a loud speaker, I think from the pool, announcing events!”

Sarah has partaken in Shopping Week events since she was a peedie buddy, often seen in fancy dress with her best pals, running the gauntlet that is the three legged fancy dress beer race (pictured below) and her love of the week has passed down to her children. Her daughter Libby was one of our attendants in 2025 🫅

We are grateful you are part of the team Sarah, and appreciate everything you do 🙌🏻




Possibly even more exciting than waiting for The Orcadian to land on the shelves… our Thursday Volunteer shout out goes ...
28/05/2026

Possibly even more exciting than waiting for The Orcadian to land on the shelves… our Thursday Volunteer shout out goes to our youngest committee member — Leah!

Leah joined the committee in 2024 after a call went out for more volunteers. Having previously been our Shopping Week Queen in 2023, she was keen to make sure Shopping Week continues to thrive as a much-loved part of the community calendar — so she stepped forward to help grow the committee.

Growing up in Stromness, Shopping Week has always been something incredibly special to Leah. From taking part in parades and activities to enjoying the stalls lining the streets, she has so many fond memories from over the years.

But it wasn’t until she was part of the Royal Party herself that she truly realised just how much time, effort, and dedication goes on behind the scenes to make the event such a success. Joining the committee was her way of giving something back to an event that has meant so much to her growing up.

This year, Leah will be helping to chaperone our Royal Party alongside Shopping Week Queen 2025, Annie. We know our Royal Family couldn’t be in safer hands with these two looking after them!

Thank you, Leah, for your enthusiasm, kindness, and commitment to helping keep the spirit of Shopping Week alive for future generations.




Wednesday has turned into Celebrate Volunteers called Karen day! Next up for a big cheer is Karen L 🙌🏻Karen joined the c...
27/05/2026

Wednesday has turned into Celebrate Volunteers called Karen day! Next up for a big cheer is Karen L 🙌🏻

Karen joined the committee in 2024 as a member before being swiftly promoted to Treasurer following Shopping Week 2025.

Karen’s role involves working with local businesses to help boost our funds through sponsorships and donations, while also keeping a close eye on the finances to make sure Shopping Week can continue to grow and maybe even introduce a few new things in the future.

When asked why she volunteered, Karen said:

“Shopping Week was the highlight of my year as a bairn, and the thought of it not happening because there weren’t enough volunteers — even at this age — saddened me. So I had to give back, step in and try to help make sure that didn’t happen.” ❤️

Karen also shared this brilliant photo with her pal Lesley from back in the day. She remembers loving the buzz around the toon, the Odd Man Out window, all the competitions… and now her favourite event is the Car Treasure Hunt! 🚗

Big up Karen L - we couldn’t run the week without you keeping the bank balance looking healthy (or without you keeping us fuelled on Rocky Road during meetings 🤤).




Kicking off our mid-week Facebook Posts is Committee Volunteer Karen.For Karen, as a child, Stromness Shopping Week was ...
27/05/2026

Kicking off our mid-week Facebook Posts is Committee Volunteer Karen.

For Karen, as a child, Stromness Shopping Week was always a highlight on the calendar. Her mum would bring her to take part in all the activities and watch all the goings-on. It was, and still is, such a fun family friendly time where the community all come together to have a great time with family, friends and neighbours alike.

In latter years she got to do the same with her own children and create memories with them which they can carry forward, just like Karen has.

Karen has loved being on the committee, helping out on the Kids Subcommittee. In her words “everyone is lovely, eager to help out where they can whilst still having time throughout the week to enjoy it too.”

She is so right, we are lovely! What a great character reference for the committee. Do you want to come and join us, we are always on the lookout for
more committee and volunteers…




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The Pierhead
Stromness
KW163AA

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