
Scapa Flow is one of the jewels in the crown of UK scuba diving. Post war salvage raised most of the ships for scrap, but seven remain submerged forever in the waters of Scapa Flow. In the end 51 ships went to the bottom of Scapa Flow, others were run aground to prevent them sinking. This was carried out swiftly while the British guarding ships were out on exercise and could not stop them. Admiral von Reuter mistakenly believed war was about to break out, so on the 19th June 1919 he gave the order for the fleet to be scuttled. At the signing of the armistice the German fleet was interred with skeleton crews at Scapa until its fate could be decided. Used in both world wars as protection for the British Fleet, the islands became home to tens of thousands of service personnel. Scapa Flow is a huge natural harbour formed within the Orkney Islands with over 140 square miles of comparatively calm water within its bounds. please visit more information.Iconic image of SMS Baden sinking during the scuttling of the German Fleet. Orkney has a unique underwater environment, from vast battleships resting in the heart of Scapa Flow, to smaller blockships dotted along the rugged coastline. The astonishing diversity of wrecks, along with the fascinating stories behind them, make Scapa Flow a world-renowned location for all those interested in maritime history. Choose from gentle rambles close to villages and towns, moderate walking around sites of significant historic interest, or more challenging treks among dramatic coastal features. The landscape around Scapa Flow is ideal walking country for people of all abilities and ages. The area from Stromness to the heights of Hoy is designated as a National Scenic Area in recognition of its dramatic beauty, but a diversity of wonderful views are found throughout the area. This landscape is framed by the ever-present high Hills of Hoy, and the heather covered slopes of the hills of the West Mainland. The scenery in the Scapa Flow area is stunning, with dramatic coastscapes, the scatter of islands and the sloping farmland with its lush grassland. Some of the sandy beaches of South Ronaldsay are characterised by the rare oysterplant, whilst South Walls has a strong population of Scottish primrose (often known by its scientific name Primula scotica) – a plant which is found nowhere else in the world other than the north of Scotland.

The farmland rings to the sound of curlews and oystercatchers. Seals, tysties (black guillemots) and bonxies (great skuas) are a constant feature of the coast in summer. Wildlife lends a great deal to the sense of place throughout the area. This fascinating giant is on the verge of global extinction and Orkney’s waters are one of two remaining strongholds for this fish. The area still supports the flapper skate.

Under the sea, habitats such as the seagrass beds are also of great conservation importance. The waters of Scapa Flow support nationally important numbers of great northern divers and Slavonian grebes. The same geographical features which provide sheltered anchorage and habitable shores also support a distinctive range of wildlife. The Scapa Flow area boasts a fabulous natural environment. This booking system and any information appearing on this page is provided for your information and convenience only and is not intended to be an endorsement by VisitScotland of the content of such linked websites, the quality of any accommodation listed, or of the services of any third party. VisitScotland does not have any control over the content or availability of any external website. If you proceed to make a booking you will leave our Website and visit a website owned and operated by a third party. Any booking you make will not be placed with VisitScotland and we will have no liability to you in respect of any booking.

You may use this booking system to place direct bookings with third party accommodation providers. It is intended to provide real time availability information relating to accommodation which is also provided by third parties. This booking system and any information appearing on this page relating to the availability of any accommodation is provided by third parties and not by VisitScotland. When it comes to accommodation in Scotland, there's a fantastic choice of amazing stays from luxury hotels to glamping getaways. Loch Lomond, Trossachs, Stirling & Forth Valleyġ4 Wonderful Wildlife Tours to Book in Scotlandĭiscover wonderful wildlife tours to book and experience in Scotland, including bird watching safaris, whale watching, farm tours and much more!
