On Kiln Corner in Kirkwall is one of Orkney’s most fascinating places to visit – The Wireless Museum and this weekend 21st & 22nd of September it will be free to visit for the ‘Doors Open’ event.
On display is Orkney’s fascinating history of early domestic radio and wartime communications with maps, charts, valves, transistors, rare exhibits, wartime memorabilia and photo archive.
This rare and unusual museum was founded in 1983 by the late Jim MacDonald after a lifetime passion of all things electrical.
Since 1997 the collection has been housed in the current building which was erected in 1866 for the factor to the Earl of Zetland’s estates in Orkney. Previously it had been a cycle agency and electrical repair shop with a petrol pump.
Everything is clearly labelled but if you want to ask for more information the friendly custodians are always up for a chat.
Opening Times
Saturday 21st September 10.30am-4.30pm
Sunday 22nd September 2.30pm-4.30pm
No disabled access
Download the Orkney leaflet here to find the other places participating in the Open Doors Weekend: Doors open days leaflet
Or for places outwith Orkney click on this link: Doors Open Days Scotland
This was my great grandfather John T Miller and then my grandfather Willie Miller and his brother Jack Miller petrol station. It was more than just a petrol station. It sold cigarettes, sweets, all things for bikes and cars, it had a record shop ran by my late father Gary Miller and across the road they sold bikes, fixed cars and they also had an radio/tv repair shop next to it. I know as I spent my holidays sitting with my grandfather in the shop.
So it was more than a bike/electrical shop with a petrol pump. It was a petrol station plus.