Scapa Flow Museum - first turf cut

A turf cutting ceremony has taken place at Lyness, marking the start of work to restore and improve the Scapa Flow Museum.

Stromness and South Isles councillor Magnus Thomson cut the first turf, accompanied by Orkney Islands Council leader James Stockan and Stephen Kemp, managing director of Orkney Builders (Construction) Ltd.

The company secured the contract for the project after a competitive tendering exercise. The work involves refurbishing the historic pumphouse and building an extension to the museum.

When complete, 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.

Its role is to chart Orkney’s military involvement in the First and Second World Wars and provide a safe home for a major collection of wartime artefacts, many of national and international importance.

The funders of the project are the Council, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Historic Environment Scotland, the Orkney LEADER 2014-2020 programme, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Museums Galleries Scotland.

A temporary exhibition on the wartime history of Scapa Flow is on show at the Hoy Hotel while the museum is closed. This has been part-funded through the Island of Hoy Development Trust.