Finstown facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Finstown |
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 A view of Finstown from across The Ouse, a tidal inlet |
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 Finstown
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| Population | 440 (2011 census) |
| OS grid reference | HY359138 |
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| Lieutenancy area | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | ORKNEY |
| Postcode district | KW17 |
| Dialling code | 01856 |
| Police | Northern |
| Fire | Highlands and Islands |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament |
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| Scottish Parliament |
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Finstown is a small village located in the parish of Firth on Mainland, one of the Orkney islands in Scotland. It is the fourth-largest community on the island. People who have visited Finstown often say that the homes there look very neat and well-kept. The village sits right next to the Bay of Firth, which has a shallow, muddy shoreline that changes with the tides. Finstown is also an important meeting point for two main roads, the A965 and the A966. In 2011, about 440 people lived in Finstown.
Finstown's Past
People have found very old things in Finstown that tell us about its history. For example, ancient cists (which are stone boxes used for burials) have been discovered a bit west of the local primary school. Even older, about 3000 years old, is the Rennibister Earth House, found further east towards Kirkwall. This underground structure gives us a peek into how people lived long, long ago.
Finstown used to be known as "Toon o' Firth." The name "Finstown" likely came from an Irish man named David Phin. He arrived in the area in 1811. David Phin was a soldier, and in 1813, he married a woman from Kirkwall. In 1820, he opened a special kind of pub called an "ale-house," which was known as the Toddy Hole.
However, David Phin and his business partner had a disagreement four years later, and Phin moved away to Aberdeen. Even though he left, his name stuck, and the village became known as Finstown. The building where his ale-house once stood is now home to the Pomona Inn, a local pub. Pomona is an old name for the Orkney Mainland island itself.
A famous politician named Jo Grimond, who used to lead the Liberal Party in the UK, is buried in Finstown.
Life in Finstown
Finstown is a small but active community. It has a post office where people can send mail and get stamps. There's also the Firth Primary School, which is important for the younger residents. The village has a pub called the Pomona Inn, though it is currently closed. You can also find a local shop for everyday needs and a garage for car services. Most of these important buildings are located along the main road that connects Stromness and Kirkwall.
See also
In Spanish: Finstown para niños
