East Weddell Sound

In the Great War many ships were deliberately sunk between the southern Orkney islands to stop U boats entering the anchorage at Scapa Flow. This is the remains of the Reginald, an iron schooner built in 1878. By the Second World War many of these were collapsed and gaps had opened. The Navy sunk more ships and thought they had done enough but Churchill insisted on building permanent rock and concrete causeways to completely block the gaps.

The Churchill Barriers now form the main road from Kirkwall to the islands, making them islands no-longer and forcing a huge detour for any boats, including Robinetta, wishing to visit both Scapa Flow and the northern isles. The barriers have changed lots of things, No 3 between Glims Holm and Burray is responsible for the two fine sandy beaches on the north and south sides of the East Weddell Sound. This is the north beach. Large seas have washed cars off the Churchill Barriers and improvements are wanted by the locals. The Orkney Island Council want to invest in tidal power as part of the scheme, which of course will delay any safety improvements.