7-hour wartime themed tour of Orkney’s naval past and island story
Orkney at War — a private full-day WWII and naval history tour. Discover Scapa Flow, the Churchill Barriers, the Italian Chapel, Ness Battery, and more. Though nearly a century has passed since WWII last reached Orkney’s shores. Orkney has always stood guard at the northern gateway to Britain. From Viking longships to German battleships, these islands have witnessed invasion, defence, and sacrifice. Nowhere is this more vivid than in the First and Second World Wars, when Scapa Flow became Britain’s great naval base — a fortress of water and land.
This private full-day Orkney war tour traces Orkney’s wartime story, linking landmarks like the Italian chapel and Churchill Barriers, to cliff-top defences, hidden murals, and the wrecks of Scapa Flow.
What you’ll see - typical route
(Order adapts to tides, light and crowds. Brough of Birsay requires a suitable low-tide window.)
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Scapa Flow Naval Base — Britain’s great wartime anchorage, pivotal in both world wars
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Ness Battery Coastal Defences — WWII gun battery with preserved crew murals
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Kitchener Memorial & HMS Hampshire Site — cliff-top monument to the naval disaster of 1916
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Churchill Barriers & Scapa Flow Causeways — WWII defences linking Orkney’s southern isles
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Italian Chapel — the iconic POW-built chapel of hope and resilience
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Yesnaby Wartime Lookouts & Clifftop Defences — Atlantic cliffs that hosted WWII lookout posts, blending dramatic coastal scenery with hidden wartime history
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HMS Royal Oak Museum, Scapa Flow — poignant remembrance of the battleship sunk in 1939 with 834 men lost, a story still marked by an annual memorial dive
At a glance
Format: fully private heritage tour in a comfortable vehicle with space for 8 passengers
Duration: 7 hours (can be shortened if tight on time)
Pick-up options: Kirkwall, Stromness, cruise terminal, airport, or your accommodation
Price: from £600 total (private vehicle, guiding & all entry tickets included). Capacity: up to 8 guests. Only £100pp with 8 guests — book now
Orkney in WWI and WWII — A Short History
Scapa Flow: Britain’s Naval Stronghold
During the First World War, Scapa Flow was chosen as the main base of the Royal Navy’s Grand Fleet. Its sheltered waters could hold hundreds of warships, protected by blockships, booms, and guns on the cliffs. Here in 1916, the fleet sailed to the Battle of Jutland — the largest naval battle of the war.
At war’s end in 1919, 74 ships of the German High Seas Fleet were interned in Scapa Flow. Rather than see them divided among the Allies, German crews scuttled their own fleet. The sight of these great battleships sinking still stands as one of the most dramatic acts in naval history.
World War II — Tragedy and Defence
When war returned in 1939, Scapa Flow was again at the heart of Britain’s naval defence. But the anchorage’s vulnerabilities were exposed when German U-boat U-47 slipped past blockships and torpedoed HMS Royal Oak. Over 800 men lost their lives, and the disaster shocked the nation.
In response, Winston Churchill ordered the construction of the Churchill Barriers — massive stone causeways linking the islands, built largely by Italian prisoners of war. Those same prisoners also created the Italian Chapel, a masterpiece of devotion and artistry that remains one of Orkney’s most loved sites.
Throughout WWII, Orkney bristled with defences: gun batteries, radar stations, and bunkers. Thousands of service personnel were stationed here, leaving traces still visible on cliffs, beaches, and fields today.
Today, Orkney’s landscape is still marked by these conflicts — rusting blockships, cliff-top gun sites, and the Chapel’s painted altar all reminders of how global wars left their imprint on these remote islands.
Other Themed Private Tours
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Neolithic Wonders: A deeper dive into Orkney’s UNESCO World Heritage sites.
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Whisky & History Tour: Highland Park or Scapa distillery visit, plus stone circles and wartime stories.
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Viking Heritage: Orkney's key Norse sites combined in one viking themed day
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Jewellery & Gin: Orkney finery - the Italian Chapel, Sheila Fleet Jewellery, Kirkwall shopping & Gin tasting
Visiting on the Scrabster (Thurso) – Stromness ferry? See Orkney Day Trip from Thurso (Scrabster).
Want to see the best of Orkney on a cruise day? See Orkney Highlights — Private Shore Excursion
Featured Reviews
Susan: "Ciaran is a wonderful guide, both knowledgeable and wise. We had a lovely day touring with him."
★★★★★
John: "This private tour exceeded all expectations. Ciaran adapted the itinerary with visits to Scapa Flow, the Churchill Barriers, and the Italian Chapel. His knowledge of Orkney’s history and culture was exceptional. A truly memorable day."
★★★★★
Christina: "Ciaran gives a top notch tour of the war sites even when the weather of Orkney fails to cooperate. Knowledgeable and funny,."
★★★★★
FAQs
Is this tour suitable for children?
Yes, though some content (such as the Royal Oak sinking) is sobering. The Italian Chapel, Churchill Barriers, and gun sites are visually engaging for all ages.
Is the Royal Oak Museum always open?
Yes, the small museum at Scapa commemorating HMS Royal Oak is open to visitors.
Is there time for photography?
Yes. We include stops at dramatic vantage points — cliffs, shipwrecks, and Scapa Flow panoramas. Photographers often find this one of our most rewarding tours.
How accessible is the tour?
The Italian Chapel, Churchill Barriers, and Scapa Flow stops are easily accessible. Ness Battery and Yesnaby involve uneven ground — but we adapt pacing for mobility needs.
Will we see shipwrecks or divers?
What is left of the scuttled German fleet is mostly underwater, but the blockships are always visible from the Churchill Barriers. Scapa Flow remains a world-famous diving location, and it’s common to see dive boats.
What makes this different from other Orkney war tours?
We balance the famous sites (Italian Chapel, Churchill Barriers, Scapa Flow) with off-the-beaten-path stops like Yesnaby gun emplacements and Ness Battery, giving you a fuller picture of Orkney’s wartime story.
Ready to experience Orkney at War?
Book now to reserve your Private Orkney at War Tour — a full day of naval history, wartime heritage, and island stories, guided by a local expert.