Orkney Wartime Heritage

Wartime Heritage Community Training at Ness Point, Stromness.

A team of archaeologists from the Orkney Research Centre for Archaeology (ORCA) have been conducting wartime heritage community training at Point of Ness, Stromness over the weekend [8-9 May]. The training provided interested members of the community with the skills required to research and record Orkney’s wartime heritage. In total nine participants attended the event. The training was funded by the Scapa Flow Landscape Partnership Scheme with financial assistance from the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund.Three ORCA archaeologists trained local enthusiasts in the various methods required to research and record a wartime site. The introductory class-based training was held at Orkney College in late April with the fieldwork training running over the weekend. Training varied from explaining where to find historic information on wartime sites through to practical demonstrations on undertaking a walkover survey, a measured survey using GPS and a built heritage survey of standing buildings.

The nine participants were split into groups of three with each group being guided through a research methodology by an ORCA archaeologist. Each group then rotated so that by 4pm on Sunday everyone had experienced and practiced each technique. The group focused on the wartime structures and sites around Point of Ness, Stromness including searchlights, gun emplacements and possible World War I or II trench systems. The recording exercise was very successful with a possible searchlight emplacement and an ammunition skidding shed being identified.

Participants of the training event are encouraged to apply their new skills by getting out there and recording remains of Orkney’s wartime heritage scattered throughout the isles. Two trainees, Anna Lipinska and Leo Brennan came on the scheme so that they could record a former radar station near their house in Deerness.

Archaeologist Dan Lee who managed the project on behalf of ORCA said “The training event was really successful with a lot of the attendees now having the confidence and skills to go on and record wartime sites in their area”.

The Scapa Flow Landscape Partnership Scheme will spend around £2.1 million over three years on 48 projects promoting and supporting the heritage – wildlife, landscape, cultural heritage, history and archaeology – in and around Scapa Flow and the South Isles of Orkney. The scheme has received £1.3 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund, with further support from Orkney Islands Council, the European Union, Historic Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage, the RSPB, trusts and private donations.