Orkney Invite for Gold Man Hoy

Hoy might be home to the iconic ‘Old Man of Hoy’, but the island is set to welcome another iconic man this year – with Olympian Sir Chris Hoy having taken up an invite to officially open the newly refurbished Scapa Flow Museum and Visitor Centre

Gold man Hoy is eleven-times a world champion and six-times an Olympic champion.

With a total of seven Olympic medals, six gold and one silver, Hoy is the second most decorated Olympic cyclist of all time.

The official opening of the refurbished museum will take place the weekend of 17 September and It is hoped to incorporate a cycling event into the proceedings.

Scapa Flow Museum charts Orkney’s military involvement in the First and Second World Wars and provides a safe home for a major collection of wartime artefacts, many of national and international importance.

It is currently undergoing a refurbishment project valued at of £4.3 million, comprising an extension to the Museum and refurbishment of the historic pumphouse, supported by Orkney Islands Council, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Historic Environment Scotland, the Orkney LEADER 2014-2020 programme, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, NatureScot and Museums Galleries Scotland.

Before its closure for refurbishment, the Museum attracted 14,000 visitors each year. It’s anticipated visitor numbers will significantly increase as a result of the ambitious and extensive changes and upgrades.

When complete - expected in Summer 2022 - the Museum will open all-year-round for the first time in many years, encouraging more people to visit Hoy and boosting tourism throughout the island.

Orkney Islands Council Leader James Stockan said: “The improvements to the museum have been a long time coming but they are absolutely worth the wait.

“We can’t wait to share the refurbishment with the community and enthusiasts of Orkney’s wartime history around the world and what better way to do that than have the facility opened by Sir Chris Hoy – on his namesake island. I look forward to seeing the community come together to mark this momentous ‘Hoy on Hoy’ event.”