A settlement on the south coast of the Orkney Mainland, Houton overlooks the Bay of Houton 5 miles (8 km) southeast of Stromness. A ferry crosses Scapa Flow from here bound for Hoy and Flotta. Houton was a sea plane base in the First World War and civilian flying boats bound for North America used Houton between the wars. The slipway and foundations of some of its buildings can still be seen.