Gillian Martin, Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy in the Scottish Government, was in Hoy yesterday, 11 August, to announce Historic Marine Protected Area status for Scapa Flow, Orkney, and the remains of the 18thC Queen of Sweden, in Shetland.
Scapa Flow has the largest number of warship wrecks and associated artefacts in the UK. Many of the wrecks are designated war graves, but there are also the remains of vessels from the German High Seas Fleet scuttled in 1919.
The Queen of Sweden is one of the best-preserved remains of a Swedish East India Company ship located in waters around Scotland. She was built in Stockholm in 1741 to trade with China – the largest ship built for the company at that time – and sank in the Bressay Sound in 1745 during strong winds.
The ship had left Gothenberg in Sweden and was on route to China when it hit a rock at the southern entrance to Lerwick harbour, Shetland and sank. The wreck was partially salvaged at the time of its wrecking and subsequently in the 1970’s, 90’s and more recently in 2016. The site is a well-known dive site enjoyed by local and visiting divers. – Nautical Archaeological Society
The announcement of HMPA status was made at Scapa Flow Visitor Centre. The Orkney Islands Council run museum, is located at Lyness, Hoy, in the repurposed 1937 pump house which fuelled the vessels of the Royal Navy at the Scapa Flow Naval Base.
Gillian Martin said:
“These two new Historic Marine Protected Areas – at Scapa Flow, and the Queen of Sweden wreck site in Shetland – are important additions to our network of Historic MPAs, which protect the most significant wreck sites across Scotland’s seas.
“The designation of these sites recognises their national value and will help to ensure that future generations can continue to explore, learn from, and be inspired by Scotland’s underwater heritage. I’m grateful for the support from local authorities, heritage bodies, and marine industries in bringing these designations forward.”
The Cabinet Secretary was taken on a tour of Scapa Flow in the morning and she was clearly moved by the importance of the area to the heritage of Scotland and the world. The tour on board one of the council’s pilot boats was conducted by Nick Hewitt, Culture Team Manager, responsible for the Council’s Museums Service and Arts Development.
At Lyness, Jude Callister, Custodian at Scapa Flow Museum, explained the importance of Scapa Flow and of the stories behind the artefacts on display.
Scotland has a vast marine heritage. Protecting, preserving, and recording it is managed by Historic Environment Scotland. Scotland’s marine historic environment includes:
- remains of human settlements at the coastal fringe (sea level changes may mean that some sites are now underwater)
- remains of ships and aircraft lost at sea
- harbours, lighthouses and other structures relating to transport and trade by sea
The first Historic Marine Protected Areas were designated by the Scottish Government in 2013 to identify and protect marine historic assets of national importance which survive in Scottish territorial waters. It is a criminal offence to remove, alter or disturb any of the protected sites across the country.
Anyone can apply for a site to be designated.
Find out how to propose a site as a Marine Protected Area.
The task to designate the whole of Scapa Flow as a Historic Marine Protected Area has taken years to achieve and involved a team of people from Orkney Islands Council, and Historic Environment Scotland.
Orkney Islands Council Leader Heather Woodbridge said:
“Wrecked vessels, including those of the German High Seas Fleet, are a significant heritage asset and attract visitors from all over the world, contributing to the economy of Orkney. Sadly, the condition of the wrecks is deteriorating, and these important remains will not last forever.
“Officially recognising and protecting these sites is therefore vitally important to maximise their longevity. This Historic MPA will ensure these irreplaceable assets are protected from future human damage or disturbance while still allowing for responsible access, research and education where appropriate.”
The Historic Marine Protected Areas for the Scapa Flow and Queen of Sweden designations will come into effect on 1 November 2025.
The Orkney News will have a full report including filmed footage of the announcement soon. If you wish to read more about some of the events which have taken place in Scapa Flow or of shipwrecks in the waters around Orkney please use the search button on our website.
Last year Orkney News Ltd published HMS Pheasant 1917, Who were the lost men and boys, which told the stories behind the 89 men who died when the M Class Destroyer HMS Pheasant struck a mine off Rora Head, Hoy, on 1 March 1917. Copies of the book by Fiona Grahame are available to purchase from the Scapa Flow Visitor Centre shop. They can also be purchased from any good bookstore worldwide, including online.
If you would like to purchase a copy directly from The Orkney News, email news@theorkneynews.scot
Price £25 includes P&P .
Fiona Grahame
