Published in Scotland Magazine Issue 31 on 16/02/2007.

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On the war path

Sally Toms picks out a few places to visit in connection with World War II

The most famous period of Scottish history is arguably the era of the Stuart Kings and the ‘45 Jacobite Uprising.

Less romantic but as important, of course, was World War II (1939-45). Widely believed to be the defining event of the 20th century, it shaped Scotland’s history and landscape as much as any other event in the nation’s history. Perhaps more so, because it is still within living memory.

There are numerous WWII sites around Scotland to visit. In almost every town there are memorials to those who fought and died, but there are other physical reminders such as disused airfields, pill boxes, outlook posts and sunken wrecks.

Many visitors to these sites have a personal interest in them; Allied forces from across the world were stationed at various Royal Air Force or Naval fleet bases around Scotland, such as those at Holy Loch and Scapa Flow.

We have selected a few places you can visit to learn about Scotland’s more recent history, and to honour those who died in the defence of their country.

SCAPA FLOW
Any World War II trail around Scotland will lead you to Orkney. The Orkney Islands had the largest concentration of air and sea defences in the British Isles, many of which have survived to the present day.

The natural harbour at Scapa Flow has been used as a major Naval fleet base since the First World War. The islands’ location meant it was easy to deploy ships containing supplies and agents to and from German occupied Norway. The base, known as HMS Prosperine, .....

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By Sally Toms

Section : Scotland battles

Page number : 58