The best road cycling routes around Glims Holm

Churchill had 4 dams built here and his own ships sunk so that the Germans would not get their hands on them

In the often storm-tossed seas of the Atlantic lies the Scapa Flow off the Orkney Islands, which belong to Scotland. A very special stretch of water measuring more than 300 square kilometers, a kind of natural harbor off the two main islands of the Orkneys. But what makes it so unique is underwater. A ship graveyard that is probably one of the most spectacular diving spots in Europe, if not the world. The story of its creation tells of a forgotten chapter of the First World War. According to the town's official website, the name Scapa Flow comes from the Norse word Skalpaflói, which means “The Bay of the Long Isthmus”. Accordingly, the place was first used by the British Admiralty around 1800 as a strategic natural harbor in the Napoleonic Wars. At a depth of up to 40 meters, merchant ships were allowed to anchor here before they set off for the Baltic North Sea ports. But Scapa Flow would not finally take its place in the history books until 1919. During the First World War, the British fleet moved its base to the difficult-to-access Scapa Flow. Old defenses on land were also put back into operation at this time. After Germany had to admit its defeat in the war in 1918, the ships of the German Navy with their crew on board were held there as prisoners of war. And so on June 21, 1919, one of the greatest ship accidents in world history occurred. The word “misfortune” is misleading, because it was actually an ordered tragedy. The commander of the German navy in the Scapa Flow, Admiral Ludwig von Reuter, believed at this point that the peace negotiations with the victorious powers had failed. In order to prevent “his” ships from finally falling into the hands of the enemy, he had them sunk without further ado on his orders. That day, 52 German warships found their watery grave in the waters of Scapa Flow. To date, this is the largest sinking ever recorded.

Here you can enjoy great views over the well-known Churchill Barriers. The barriers were built in 1945 and act as a causeway connecting the Orkney mainland with the isles of Lamb Holm, Glimps Holm, Burray and South Ronaldsay.

Burwick Pier is located on the southernmost tip of South Ronaldsay island. It's the Orkney landing point for passengers and cyclists on the John O'Groats Ferry. Ferries run daily, and you can find the times on the site... jogferry.co.uk/Ferry.aspx

Jump off the bike, take a rest, and enjoy wonderful views over to Scapa Beach, located just a mile or so from Kirkwall and Orkney's most popular beach.

St Margaret's Hope is the main town on the Orkney island of South Ronaldsay. The small town lies in a sheltered bay and features an attractive waterfront, a gift shop and museum, and a coffee shop, 'Robertson's Coffee House and Bar'. There is a ferry service that runs between St Margaret's Hope and Gills Bay on the mainland, you can find the times here https://www.orkney.com/listings/pentland-ferries

Kirkwall is the largest town on Scotland's beautiful northern archipelago of Orkney. In this bustling town, there are many wonderful places to discover, including cafés, restaurants, bars, museums, a cathedral, and many other historic landmarks.

Burwick Pier is located on the southernmost tip of South Ronaldsay island. It's the Orkney landing point for passengers and cyclists on the John O'Groats Ferry. Ferries run daily, and you can find the times on the site... https://www.jogferry.co.uk/Ferry.aspx