HMS Tern Living Museum
@hmstern61
We are creating a Living Museum at HMS Tern in Orkney. The team of volunteers and paid staff are recreating the look, smell and feel of a training airfield in World War II on Orkney. The site is open to the public, see our website for opening times.
Join us this summer in #Orkney for exciting new events at HMS Tern! We look forward to seeing you.👉 July 26th 'Life on the Homefront' 👉 1940's Day featuring children's games 👉 September 13th '1940's Training Day' - Travel back in time to when HMS Tern served as a training base.
In today's blog, we examine our well-worn aircraft compass, discuss aircraft navigation, and address the challenges trainee pilots faced when flying out of wartime #Orkney #navalhistory hmstern.blog/2026/07/17/p... 📷Wiki Commons IWM
A huge welcome to the Anchor Community Group Stromness, who joined us at HMS Tern to view the tapestry they made and enjoy a picnic in the sun. More on the tapestry in our blog hmstern.blog/2026/06/06/c...
Our lodgers in the air raid shelter are growing up fast and looking out for mom to return by the look of it! #Orkney #Islandlife
A closer look at those torpedo air tanks that created so many questions a few weeks ago. This was before the area was cleared, so they haven't multiplied while we were not looking. 😃
The day in the life of a volunteer at HMS Tern #Orkney #Navalhistory Happy music too, so turn on your speakers.
The local birds are finding our buildings particularly cosy. These guys were found in the air raid shelter this morning. We'll leave them be for a while. #wildlife #Orkney #islandlife
Now form an orderly queue.....Fabulous weather at HMS Tern #Orkney today
Volunteers have been working hard this week, clearing the Vehicle Wash area at HMS Tern Living Museum, uncovering a concrete platform dating back to the 1940's. #orkney #navalhistory
Blooming marvellous.....flora and fauna bursting into life across HMS Tern. Even the snail is making a break for it.
Desktop trainee navy pilot graffiti from WW2 at HMS Tern. All meaning is now lost, except for the enigmatic GOOD LUCK. 🙂 #NavalHistory
Just testing.....Just Testing....yep seems to work....OK. You can turn it off now.🤣 Just one of the many vintage pieces of equipment brought to life by our skilled volunteers at HMS Tern #Orkney
Just a quick trip through the foyer of the cinema building RNAS HMS Tern #Orkney #NavalHistory #islandlife
Keeping history alive! This week, the 1st Dounby Rainbows and 1st Dounby Girl Guides visited HMS Tern. Despite the overcast conditions, we had a great time showing them around, exploring the exhibits, wildlife, and buildings on the site.
Some of the air raid shelters constructed in 1941 still stand today. This video showcases the old cinema block and the interior of a shelter on the site. Volunteers have cleared away decades of debris, revealing a glimpse of the conditions that people endured during those desperate times.
The Orkney landscape surrounding HMS Tern attracts a wide variety of wildlife. Just yesterday, we discovered baby pigeons in the control tower. We will leave them undisturbed until they are ready to fledge.