The Strange Case of the Stronsay Monster

Stories of sea monsters are found in various regions, and over the years the search has drawn many people to places like Loch Ness in Scotland. But the Orkney island of Stronsay has a story of a monster that was inspected, measured, and sampled - and remnants still exist today.

It was washed ashore in 1808, and as word spread, debate developed. Was it a basking shark - though significantly longer than any previously known instance - or was it something else? 

The story brings in many people - from the surgeon Sir Everard Home to the poet Lord Byron, and it is built on solid foundations laid by the people of the island. Orkney International Science Festival has highlighted it at various opportunities, including the discovery's bicentenary in 2008 with events in the island organised by the community - and this site has been developed to provide a long-term online resource.