Projects
- Introduction
- The Museum of The Black Watch, Perth
- Clackmannanshire Council
- Aberdeenshire Council
- Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders Museum, Stirling
- The Gordon Highlanders Museum, Aberdeen
- Museum nan Eilean, Lewis
- Museum of the Isles, Skye
- West Lothian Council
- Kildonan Museum
- Highland Council
- Hunterian Museum & Art Gallery
- McLean Museum & Art Gallery, Inverclyde Council
- Orkney Islands Council
- West Dunbartonshire Council
- Argyll & Bute Council
- Dysart Primary School
- Erskine Hospital
Project Team: Orkney Islands Council
Project Title: Fortress Orkney
Inspired by the film, Emeric Pressburger’s 'The Spy in Black', which was filmed in Orkney and was based on J Storer Clouston’s novel, "Fortress Orkney" will focus on the effect of the Second World War on civilians in Hoy, centring on the Lyness Naval Base. Based on the life of an individual – either real or imagined - a young naval rating from the mainland, it will build up a picture of life during and after the war in Hoy through the people he met. The vignettes will be built from real people and events from Orcadian wartime history. These will include: his initial journey to Hoy on the St Ola; the relationship with his landlady; his social life including going to the cinema; the Orkney Blast, a newspaper for the Forces; the local shops and amenities; and his Orcadian girlfriend. Young people from local schools and Cultural Studies students from Orkney College will play a key role in collecting the material.
Exhibitions in this Project:
Scapa Flow before World War Two
Scapa Flow is a body of water, 120 square miles in size and surrounded by islands sheltering it from the wind. It was first recorded in history as a safe anchorage in Viking times. The strategic position made it an ideal base for the Royal Navy in both World Wars, as it helped to contain the German Navy in their bases on the Baltic coast. As well as being sheltered, Scapa Flow is relatively shallow, yet deep enough to take large ships. The channels leading into it give access to open water regardless of the direction of the wind. view project
Defending Scapa Flow
Between the wars the defences of Scapa Flow had been dismantled and removed. Some blockships had been removed to allow fishing boats access to the North Sea fishing grounds, while others had been broken up by storms. When Britain entered World War II on 3rd September 1939 the defences of Scapa Flow were totally inadequate. A few extra blockships had been sunk to close some of the gaps, but it was not enough. Work began to build up the defences once again. Orkney was declared a Protected Area, with a permit required by anyone entering or leaving the islands.view project
The sinking of 'HMS Royal Oak'
Scapa Flow was thought to be impenetrable but in the darkness of the night of 13 October 1939, German U-boat U 47 surfaced in Scapa Flow. Early in the war German reconnaissance aircraft had surveyed the defences of Scapa Flow, whilst submarines monitored British shipping. Gaps between the blockships in Kirk Sound were identified. The main fleet had sailed that day but 'HMS Royal Oak' remained behind. In the icy waters of Scapa Flow, 833 men of the 'Royal Oak' perished, and the wreck site is now an official war grave. Here some of the survivors tell their story. view project
Service life on Hoy
World War 2 brought a huge influx of troops into Orkney and the population of the islands swelled to over three times its size. By 1940 there were over 12,000 military and civilian personnel at HMS Prosperine, the base at Lyness. Intensive work was undertaken to build accommodation and roads. Medical facilities were built, and the recreational welfare of the troops was catered for with a cinema and theatre. Beer could be purchased at the naval canteen, but only with a ticket. Visiting Americans, whose ships were ‘dry’ were astonished by the flowing refreshments. view project
Life of a Lyness Wren
The story of Petty Officer Wren Rita Jones who served in the WRNS (Women's Royal Naval Service) at HMS Proserpine, Lyness, Orkney, from May 1943 until September 1945.view project
Civilian life on Hoy 1939-1945
The war changed the islanders’ life forever. Camps sprang up all over the island, home to the thousands of service people. Many of the islanders found work on the base, building accommodation, piers and roads. The island prospered, benefiting from the facilities the Navy brought. The school numbers swelled with service children. Locals enjoyed attending the many dances and theatre shows as well as seeing the latest films at the cinemas. In many ways it was boom time for the island. view project
Wartime Flotta
Flotta is gateway to Scapa Flow and played a significant part in Orkney’s World War 2 history. The views from the 2,000 acre island, taking in the vast expanse of Scapa Flow and the islands surrounding it, and across the Pentland Firth to the Scottish mainland, made it an ideal defence base. Flotta was a quiet farming community, but everything changed with the arrival of the Royal Navy in Scapa Flow at the start of World War 1. In 1939 the mass influx of personnel returned. World War 2 left Flotta with good piers and facilities but a declining population. view project
Entertaining Orkney
Orkney became the venue for many famous entertainers of the day, including Tommy Handley, Vera Lynn, Gracie Fields, George Formby, Evelyn Laye and Yehudi Menuhin, boosting the morale of the many service men and women stationed in the islands. Naval cinemas were built in Kirkwall, Holm and Lyness. The Kirkwall Arts Club was founded by, among others, Donald Hewlitt the actor and star of It Ain’t Half Hot Mum. Shows were staged in floating theatres, while garrison theatres were built in Flotta, Kirkwall, Stromness and Hoy. view project
The Orkney Blast
During the war there were many small newspapers circulated around the camps, aerodromes and ships. It was decided that a combined forces newspaper would be a desirable addition to life in Orkney, and the Orkney writer Major Eric Linklater was given the task. The Orkney Blast was printed by The Orcadian newspaper, with issue one published on 17 January 1941. It ran until 24 November 1944, when the war was moving east, and service personnel were withdrawn from Orkney. Here Gerry Meyer, Orkney Blast editor, tells his story. view project
Wartime food and farming in Orkney
During WW2 Orkney was relatively well off for food while other places were experiencing the hardships of rationing. Between the main occupations of fishing and farming, there always seemed to be something for the table. The huge numbers of garrisoned troops meant that provisions had to be laid on and local shops and farms worked to meet the increased demands on the island. Troops would send supplies of eggs home to their families. Stories are told of the hospitality service people received in the homes of locals living close to their stations. view project
Life on Hoy 1945-1957
After 1945 Lyness Naval base was scaled down but remained operational. Civilian workers were employed alongside Naval personnel to maintain the remaining buildings and the oil tanks. The abandoned buildings became a playground for local children whilst the adults continued to enjoy the economic and social benefits that the Naval base provided. The base was finally shut down in 1957. The closure had a significant impact on Hoy. Here some of the islanders talk about the post war years. view project
The lasting impact of WW2 on Orkney
The impact of the war on Orkney continues to be significant. The POW Italian Chapel is a popular visitor attraction and war heritage is becoming a tourist focus. The visual remains of war are seen across the islands with aerodromes, coast batteries and Nissen huts. The Churchill Barriers have linked up some of the islands to the mainland of Orkney. The Orkney dialect and the island culture were affected by the sheer number of people who came, and the influx of troops resulted in a new generation of Orcadians born to the settled service people. view project
