The island of Stroma is situated two miles off the north coast of Caithness and is one mile long by half a mile wide.  Stroma was originally named Straumey by the Norse, which means "the island in the stream".  I chose to investigate this topic because I was interested in finding out why so many island communities have dwindled during this last century. Stroma, in particular, appealed to me because it is part of my local history.

In my investigation I'm hoping to discover the way the people lived and how they were influenced by the mainland. I also hope to find if the improving way of life on the mainland was the key factor that led to the desertion of Stroma.