War History Tours

The Old Man of Hoy is one of the most famous natural landmarks in Scotland—a dramatic sea stack rising from the Atlantic Ocean off the west coast of the island of Hoy.

A towering vertical pillar of red sandstone, standing about 137 meters (449 feet) tall

Sheer, almost perfectly straight sides, giving it a striking, isolated appearance

Often surrounded by crashing waves and seabirds, adding to its wild, rugged atmosphere.

The stack was created through coastal erosion:

Originally part of the mainland cliffs of Hoy

Over thousands of years, wind and powerful Atlantic waves carved out caves and arches

Eventually, the arch collapsed, leaving behind this freestanding column

Interestingly, it’s relatively young in geological terms—first recorded as a stack in the 18th century.

The Scapa Flow Museum is one of Orkney’s most important historical attractions, telling the story of the islands’ central role in both World Wars.

A war museum located at Lyness on the island of Hoy

Built inside a former Royal Navy oil pumphouse from the 1930s

Focuses on the history of Scapa Flow, once Britain’s main naval base. The site itself is historic—the whole area was a major naval hub during wartime.

Over 250 artefacts and objects from World War I and II

Stories of major events like:

The Battle of Jutland

The sinking of HMS Royal Oak

The scuttling of the German High Seas Fleet

Exhibits showing daily life for thousands of servicemen stationed in Orkney. Modern features like interactive displays, VR, and digital exhibits

It’s not just about battles—it also shows how the war transformed life in Orkney.

Originally a fuel pumping station supplying ships in the harbour, Part of the naval base known as HMS Proserpine

Recently restored and expanded, reopening in 2022.

Scapa Flow is a one of the largest sheltered natural harbour in the Orkney Islands, just south of Kirkwall. It’s one of the most historically important naval anchorages in the world.

A large, enclosed body of water surrounded by islands like Mainland, Orkney, Hoy, and South Ronaldsay

Covers about 312 square kilometres (120 sq. mi)

Naturally protected from the Atlantic by surrounding land, making it ideal for ships. World War I. Base of the British Grand Fleet

In 1919, it was the site of the Scuttling of the German High Seas Fleet

German crews deliberately sank 57 warships to stop them being seized by the Allies

Many wrecks still lie on the seabed today. World War II

Again used as a key Royal Navy base

In 1939, a German U-boat sank the battleship HMS Royal Oak, killing over 800 sailors

This led to the construction of the Churchill Barriers—causeways linking islands to block submarine access

One of the top wreck-diving sites in the world.

The Churchill Barriers are a series of four stone causeways that link the Orkney mainland to several smaller islands, stretching across the eastern side of Scapa Flow.

Four connected road causeways built between 1940 and 1944

Link Mainland, Orkney to: Lamb Holm, Glimps Holm, Burray and South Ronaldsay

Carry the modern A961 road, making them both historic and practical. They were constructed during World War II after a major security failure: In 1939, a German submarine slipped into Scapa Flow and sank the battleship HMS Royal Oak

Over 800 sailors were killed

Winston Churchill ordered permanent barriers to block eastern entrances to the harbour. Built using concrete blocks, rock, and rubble. Much of the labour was carried out by Italian prisoners of war

Conditions were harsh, especially in winter.

One remarkable legacy of the workers is the nearby Italian Chapel, a beautifully decorated place of worship they constructed from two Nissen huts.

The Italian Chapel is one of Orkney’s most moving and beautiful landmarks—a small but richly decorated chapel built by Italian prisoners of war during World War II.

A tiny Roman Catholic chapel on the island of Lamb Holm

Constructed between 1943 and 1945

Built from two Nissen huts joined together

Located right beside the Churchill Barriers

Built by Italian POWs captured in North Africa and brought to Orkney. The men were working on the Churchill Barriers

They wanted a place of worship and were given permission to build one. The chapel was designed and decorated by Domenico Chiocchetti, a talented artist and craftsman.

Despite its humble materials, the interior is stunning:

Painted to resemble stone, brick, and marble

A beautifully detailed altar and sanctuary.

An ornate metalwork screen made from scrap

Everything was created using limited wartime materials, yet it looks like a traditional Italian church.

A symbol of hope, faith, and creativity in difficult conditions.