Scapa Flow Visitor Centre & Museum
Lyness, Hoy, Orkney
Telephone: (01856) 791300

Sometimes known as the Lyness Museum, this houses an important record of the role the Royal Navy played in Orkney during both World Wars. Situated at Lyness on the island of Hoy, the centre is run by Orkney Islands Council Museums & Heritage Service, who have converted the former Pumphouse to provide a comprehensive series of interpretative displays, as well as being home to a fascinating outside collection of military equipment such as vehicles and guns.

World War I displays include a propeller and other artifacts from HMS Hampshire, mined off Orkney in 1916 with the loss of Lord Kitchener. Guns salvaged from the German High Seas Fleet which was scuttled in Scapa Flow in 1919 form part of the display along with railway engines on tracks. There is a large photographic collection as well as objects on display inside.

One of the former oil storage tanks houses further displays and is used to screen a short film giving an overview of the history of Scapa Flow from Viking times to the present day – definitely the most unusual cinema you will ever have been in!

The Visitor Centre is reached by a short ferry trip across Scapa Flow from the Orkney Mainland (Houton to Lyness).  Contact Orkney Ferries  01856 811701.  The Visitors Centre is only a five minute walk from the Lyness ferry terminal.

The Visitors centre contains a shop where books, videos, gifts and souvenirs are available.  Also within the Centre is the PumpHouse Café.