Scapa Flow Visitor Centre & Museum

Inspired by the film, Emeric Pressburger’s 'The Spy in Black', which was filmed in Orkney and was based on J Storer Clouston’s novel, "Fortress Orkney" will focus on the effect of the Second World War on civilians in Hoy, centring on the Lyness Naval Base. Based on the life of an individual – either real or imagined - a young naval rating from the mainland, it will build up a picture of life during and after the war in Hoy through the people he met. The vignettes will be built from real people and events from Orcadian wartime history. These will include: his initial journey to Hoy on the St Ola; the relationship with his landlady; his social life including going to the cinema; the Orkney Blast, a newspaper for the Forces; the local shops and amenities; and his Orcadian girlfriend.

Young people from local schools and Cultural Studies students from Orkney College will play a key role in collecting the material.

Commenting on the initiative, Clare Gee, Manager of Museums and Heritage, Orkney Islands Council said: "We are really pleased that Scapa Flow Visitor Centre & Museum is able to take part in the Their Past Your Future programme. Orkney has an incredibly strong and important wartime heritage and this project will help us capture much vital and personal history. Orkney is currently undertaking an audit of wartime archaeology and this project will strengthen that work as well as raising awareness amongst our younger residents of the importance of this period in Orkney's history. We can't wait to get started!"