Wartime history

Scapa Flow Tour: Orkney’s Wartime History

A guided minibus tour of Scapa Flow and Orkney’s First and Second World War history, with local guide Jean Ross.

In short

This guided minibus tour explores Scapa Flow and Orkney’s First and Second World War history, including the Churchill Barriers, the Italian Chapel, the coastal gun batteries at Hoxa Head, and the stories of HMS Royal Oak and the scuttling of the German High Seas Fleet. Includes a visit to Stromness Museum.

Jean Ross, Green Badge tourist guide, Great Orkney Tours

I’m Jean, your Orkney tour guide

The wartime story of Scapa Flow is one I love to tell, from the gun batteries on the headlands to the wrecks beneath the water.

Why is Scapa Flow famous?

Scapa Flow was one of Britain’s most important naval bases in both World Wars. It’s where the German High Seas Fleet was scuttled in 1919, where HMS Royal Oak was lost in 1939, and where the Churchill Barriers and the Italian Chapel were built: a remarkable stretch of history in a single sweep of water.

The Italian Chapel on Lamb Holm
Stromness harbour

What will you see?

  • Hoxa Head: the coastal batteries that, with Stanger Head, guarded the southern entrance to Scapa Flow.
  • The Churchill Barriers & the Italian Chapel: both built during the Second World War, crossing to South Ronaldsay.
  • The Scapa Flow coast road: with the stories of HMS Royal Oak and the scuttling of the German fleet along the way.
  • Stromness: its wartime past, and links to Dr John Rae the Arctic explorer and the Hudson’s Bay Company, with a visit to Stromness Museum.

Frequently asked questions

A full day is around 8 hours, usually 9am to 5pm, and the start and finish times are flexible. That allows time around Scapa Flow, the Churchill Barriers and the Italian Chapel without rushing. If you’re off a cruise ship I’ll work to your all-aboard time.

Yes. We stop there as we cross the Churchill Barriers, so there is time to look round the chapel the Italian prisoners of war built and to hear the story behind it.

Very much so. There’s deep wartime history here, and I love sharing the stories. Equally, it’s a fascinating day for anyone new to it.

A day in Scapa Flow

Follow the wartime story of Scapa Flow, from the Churchill Barriers and the Italian Chapel to the gun batteries that guarded the anchorage. Up to 8 passengers, private or small group. Get in touch and I will plan the day around what you would most like to see.

Book Your Tour

Your guide: Jean Ross, Green Badge Tourist Guide since 2008, born and brought up in Orkney.