South Isles Panoramic

From the ship in Kirkwall, you'll head out along the coast near the First and Second World War Naval Base of Scapa Flow. You will hear the dramatic wartime stories that make this one of the best-known stretches of water in the world. The series of causeways called the Churchill Barriers, which link the southern isles, were originally built from cement blocks to protect the eastern approaches of Scapa Flow following the sinking of HMS Royal Oak in 1939. Now surfaced with a roadway, they provide vehicle access to the islands that were previously connected by ferry. On Lamb Holm, you'll visit the beautifully hand-painted Italian Chapel. Known as 'the miracle of Camp 60', this remarkable undertaking was a gift to the Orkneys from the Italian prisoners held here during World War II. The soldiers from Italy essentially came to be sons of the Orkneys through the kindness of their captors and their reciprocal generosity. Continue south to the island of South Ronaldsay and on to the pretty village of St Margaret's Hope. Local legend has it that the village is named after Margaret, Maid of Norway, who died nearby on her way to marry King Edward II of England, although she was never a saint. The coach will stop and you can do a little shopping at the excellent Craft Workshop or wander through the old streets.