Guided Tour of HMS Tern

On Saturday, 22 February, Andrew Hollinrake took a group of us round HMS Tern, also known as RNAS Twatt, World War 2 airfield. I’ve visited this site many times, and I’ve been on one of Andrew’s tours before but he always has something new to impart as more families come forward with information about the…

theorkneynews

February 25, 2025

1–2 minutes

airfield, History, HMS Tern, Royal Navy, tours, World War 2

On Saturday, 22 February, Andrew Hollinrake took a group of us round HMS Tern, also known as RNAS Twatt, World War 2 airfield.

looking up the road towards where the remains of the cinema stand on the rhs

I’ve visited this site many times, and I’ve been on one of Andrew’s tours before but he always has something new to impart as more families come forward with information about the airfield when it was active.

Andrew Holinrake in front of a group of visitors to the site pointing out where the tour will be leading

The tour starts at the once imposing gate posts and Andrew gives a short introduction of what we will be seeing. He also has with him a substantial folder of images which are added to as more photographs come to light.

Andrew Hollinrake speaking outside the signal tower

Andrew Hollinrake is a Green Badge Orkney tour guide and is very experienced at taking visitors and locals around the island.

He also does a tour at Ness Battery in Stromness which is well worth signing up for.

If you are interested in the military aspects of Orkney’s past and the stories of the people who once spent the war years in Orkney, then this tour will not disappoint. It is also fascinating, as you walk across grass fields that beneath your very feet, the four runways, are still there.