The Italian Chapel

We’ve had another full day today.
We went to some of the other islands south of Mainland Orkney via the causeways known as the Churchill Barriers. These are the causeways built during the Second World War, following the sinking of the ship H.M.S. Royal Oak in Scapa Flow, which effectively closed off entry to Scapa Flow from the east, providing much added protection to the British fleet there.

We stopped on the island of Lamb Holm first, to see the famous Italian Chapel.
This was built from 2 Nissen huts by Italian prisoners-of-war, who were interned there during the war (the P.O.W.s also helped with the construction of the Barriers). What a special wee place, just lovely.
[main photo & first collage]

We continued over the other causeways to the islands of Glimps Holm, Burray and South Ronaldsay.
The second collage shows, top to bottom, view of the first Barrier from the Italian Chapel; view of the third Barrier looking north from Burray to Glimps Holm, where you can also see the SS Reginald blockship; and lastly the view from Burray looking out over Echnaloch Bay into Scapa Flow.

Returning back to Mainland we had a stop for lunch overlooking Scapa Flow and then headed for another beach - Dingieshowe Beach on East Mainland. Some more great views here, and spotted a number of birds on the beach too (sandpipers we believe). [third collage].

Finally, a late-afternoon return to Kirkwall , with a stop-off en-route at jeweller Sheila Fleet’s Kirk gallery near Tankerness (window-shopping only!)