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Stromness ‘Liberty’ Cannon
Rusting at the edge of the sheltered harbour of Stromness is a cannon said to be a relic of the Anglo-American War.
Trade routes and access to the vast grain fields of Canada became the trigger for war and the shipping lanes between Canada and Britain came under constant threat from the US Navy.
Canada was a [...]
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HMS Royal Oak 70th Anniversary
On 14th October 1939, HMS Royal Oak was sunk by a German Torpedo in Scapa Flow, off the southern coast of Orkney.
Scapa Flow had been a strategic Naval base since 1905, protecting Britain from German invasion via the eastern island inlets from the North Sea. With an area of about 156 square kilometres, it is [...]
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The Churchill Barriers
Arrive at St Margaret’s Hope on the Island of South Ronaldsay and head North on the A961 to Kirkwall.
This drive will take you over the incredible four causeways linking the Orkney islands of South Ronaldsay, Burray, Lamb Holm and Glimps Holm.
A total length of 1.5 miles (2.3km). The barriers were originally built in 1940 as [...]
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Orkney’s Italian Chapel
A labour of love, exquisite artistic skill and craftsmanship transformed World War II nissen huts into a stunning Italian chapel on the isle of Lambholm.
The distinct white and red facade of the little church on Lambholm has become affectionately known as The Italian Chapel.
Prisoners of war, captured during the North African campaign of the Second [...]


