Scapa Flow Museum
About This Museum
For generations, Scapa Flow was the very heart of the Royal Navy's Home Fleet, a vast natural harbour that witnessed both triumph and profound tragedy. The museum itself sits right there in the old pumphouse at Lyness, where you can almost hear the ghosts of sailors past. It tells the raw story of this anchorage, from the drama of the scuttled German High Seas Fleet to the terrible loss of HMS Royal Oak. You don't just read about history here; you stand in the buildings where it happened, surrounded by the silent Orkney hills and sea.
Collection Highlights
One of the most moving exhibits is the simple, poignant display dedicated to HMS Royal Oak, its bell a silent witness. You can also see massive scale models of the floating docks that once serviced the fleet and get up close to a real Oerlikon anti-aircraft gun, its barrel still pointing skyward. Don't miss the collection of personal artefacts – a carefully mended cup, a handwritten letter home – that make the past feel intensely personal.
Visitor Information
It's tucked away on Hoy, so you'll need to take one of the regular ferries from Houton on Mainland – it's all part of the adventure. Once you're there, give yourself a good couple of hours to soak it all in properly.
Architecture & Building
The museum is cleverly housed within the original pumphouse and other surviving naval buildings; it's not a fancy modern construction but a genuine piece of the infrastructure that kept Scapa Flow running. They've extended it with a sleek, contemporary building that somehow complements the old industrial brickwork perfectly.
Contact & Location
Address: Lyness Post Office, B9047, Stromness, Orkney Islands, Alba / Scotland, KW16 3NT, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 1856 791300
Website: Visit Website
