Orkney Day 8 - Flotta
Port War Signal Station, Stanger Head
A whole day exploring Flotta by foot today. Taking the road down through the main inhabited part of the island, you eventually come to the remains of Buchanan Battery, which defended Hoxa Sound. Next is the imposing ruins of Stanger Head, a Port War Signal Station with battery nearby. Here shipping movements were coordinated and important signalling, telephone and submarine detection equipment was housed. Further around the coast are the scattered remains of Innan Neb, Gate and Neb Batteries, a complex of many buildings and emplacements all on the same part of the island. Walking back around to the ferry, you meet the impressive Naval Cinema. Surrounding the cinema is surprisingly a plantation of spruce trees, creating a serene atmosphere all around. The first trees were planted by naval ratings stationed on the island during WWII. More were added in the early 1980s in association with the newly built oil terminal on Flotta. These trees shelter in the grounds of this ruined building, and it is strange that this 'natural' environment owes its existence to war.
The imposing building at Stanger Head.
Stanger Head
Stanger Head
At Stanger Head are also many WWI remains, and a quarry - here you can just see part of a crumbling gun emplacement here near the waters edge.
Neb Battery, part of a complex of guns that defended Switha Sound during both World Wars.
A complete bolt ring and graduated ring at Neb gun emplacement.
The dark shadows and bright sunlight at Neb Battery.
Neb Battery
Naval Cinema, a combined cinema and theatre and part of a whole complex of entertainments built for those stationed on the island.
Flotta Woods now surround the ruins of the cinema.