Churchill Barriers

At first glance, the Churchill Barriers may seem purely a feat of war time engineering, but they also hold an important place in Orkney’s story of innovation. Built by Italian prisoners of war and opened in 1945, these remarkable causeways were designed to protect the naval anchorage of Scapa Flow. In doing so, they permanently connected the islands of Lamb Holm, Glimps Holm, Burray and South Ronaldsay to the Orkney Mainland.

As you cross the Barriers, take a moment to look at the water on either side. The striking difference in tidal levels between Scapa Flow and the North Sea has long captured the imagination of renewable energy developers. Although plans for a Churchill Barriers tidal scheme have never been realised, the Churchill Barriers helped spark conversations about the potential of tidal power in Orkney, reinforcing the islands’ reputation as a place where bold ideas and practical ingenuity go hand in hand.