Orkney's Wartime History

by coach & on foot

Embark on a captivating journey through Orkney’s wartime past with this guided experience, featuring two of its most iconic historic sites: Ness Battery and the Italian Chapel. Together, they offer a vivid insight into both the strategic significance and the human stories that shaped these remarkable landmarks.

Just outside Stromness lies Ness Battery, a vital defence point guarding the western entrance to Scapa Flow during both World Wars. As you explore this coastal stronghold, you’ll step back in time to discover what daily life was like for the soldiers stationed here. Your guide will explain the purpose of the battery’s key features, using wartime photographs, maps, and plans to illustrate the layout of Orkney’s wider defences and how they kept the island protected. These visuals are brought to life with memorable stories of incidents that took place during and after the war.

After learning about the operational side of the site, the focus shifts to the soldiers’ everyday experiences. You’ll visit the domestic huts, including the Mess Hall where gunners gathered to eat and relax. Here, a beautifully preserved mural awaits — an evocative scene of English countryside complete with thatched cottages, playful children, a windmill, and even a village pub.

Leaving Ness Battery, you’ll enjoy a short comfort stop in Stromness before travelling onward to the Italian Chapel — a powerful symbol of peace, resilience, and hope. Built by Italian prisoners of war during World War II, this exquisite chapel stands as a testament to their artistry, devotion and ingenuity. Admire its stunning interior and hear the story of the Italian POWs, including their role in constructing the Churchill Barriers.

From the chapel, it is just a short, scenic drive back to port, bringing your historical exploration of Orkney to a close.