Twatt Control Tower
Twatt Control Tower is one of Orkney’s most atmospheric wartime relics, a rare surviving structure from RAF Twatt, an airfield active during the Second World War. Built in 1943, the tower once coordinated fighter and reconnaissance aircraft protecting Scapa Flow, making it a crucial part of Britain’s northern defences. An interesting fact is that the airfield operated in near‑constant winds, and pilots trained here for challenging North Atlantic conditions. Inside, the restored rooms give a vivid sense of wartime operations. The control room retains its layout, with signal desks, telephones and logbooks that once tracked every take‑off and landing. The observation deck, reached by a narrow stair, offers sweeping views across Orkney—exactly what controllers relied on to monitor aircraft movements and incoming weather fronts. Exhibits include maps, communication equipment, uniforms and photographs, many donated by families of former personnel. These items reveal the daily routines of the men and women who worked at the station, from meteorologists to radio operators. A small section explores the wider network of Orkney airfields, showing how Twatt fitted into a complex defensive system.
Twatt Scotland
Twatt Control Tower is a fascinating and evocative military heritage landmark representing the surviving remnants of Royal Naval Air Station Twatt, also known as HMS Tern. Built during the Second World War in 1941, the airfield served as a vital strategic base for the Fleet Air Arm, accommodating front-line squadrons and training units that protected the anchorage of Scapa Flow. While much of the airfield has returned to open farmland, the structurally stabilized control tower stands as a poignant monument to the personnel, pilots, and ground crews who served in Orkney during wartime.The control tower is located near Twatt, Mainland, Orkney, KW17 2LX, United Kingdom. It sits in the rural west mainland area of Orkney, northwest of Stromness and south of Brough Head. Because of its position on the West Mainland, visiting the site places you within reach of several major historical landmarks and wartime heritage attractions. A short drive away leads to the incredible prehistoric sites of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney, including the Ring of Brodgar, the Standing Stones of Stenness, and the settlement of Skara Brae. Heading further north brings you to the dramatic cliffs of Brough of Birsay, featuring Pictish and Norse settlement ruins alongside a historic lighthouse. You can also explore the rich naval history of Scapa Flow by visiting the Orkney Wireless Museum or the Churchill Barriers and Italian Chapel in Kirkwall and the surrounding islands.