The Scapa Flow Museum is one of Orkney’s most important historical attractions, telling the storey 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.