HMS Tern

05/09/2026

WANT TO BE PART OF THE HMS TERN TEAM? WE NEED YOU!

Do you love Orkney’s history? WWII? Meeting people? Or maybe you’ve always wanted to learn more about the fascinating wartime story on our doorstep?

HMS Tern is looking for new volunteers! ❤️
We’re looking for friendly, reliable people to help us welcome visitors and share the story of this unique WWII air station at RNAS Twatt.

👋 WHAT WILL YOU DO?

⭐ Welcome visitors and help make their visit special
🛍️ Help out in our gift shop
📖 Chat with visitors about HMS Tern and Orkney’s wartime history
🚶‍♀️ Lead guided tours of the site after training
⚓ Help us preserve and share the history of HMS Tern for future generations

A general interest in Orkney’s wartime history is a great start, and we’ll help you learn more while you’re with us. Training will be provided, including everything you need to know to confidently lead our site tours.

🚗 OWN TRANSPORT IS ESSENTIAL, as HMS Tern is a rural site and isn't easily accessible by public transport.

📩 Interested in volunteering?
Send us a message here on Facebook and we’ll tell you more!

⚓ HMS TERN — PRESERVING THE PAST, SHARING THE STORY. ⚓

03/09/2026

New event at HMS Tern........... Join the volunteers at HMS Tern for interactive games and hands-on activities for all ages.

- Sunday 13th September starting at 11.00am

Step back in time and experience life on a Royal Navy Air Station during the Second World War. Discover the fascinating world of wartime photography in our newly built darkroom, test your skills with authentic aircraft recognition training, and learn what everyday life was like on the Home Front.

Whether you’re a history enthusiast or simply looking for a fun family activity, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. There is a £2 charge for the dark room event; all other activities will be free, and donations towards the upkeep of the site are welcome. There is no age limit for visitors; dogs are also welcome. Plenty of parking and toilets are available, and hot and cold drinks and traybakes are also available on the day.

HMS Tern is based in the West Mainland of Orkney, signposted off the A967. The What3Words location is ///measuring.photos.swan. Most of the site is accessible, but there are some parts of the site which visitors with mobility problems may find difficult to access

03/09/2026

Come on Lindsay.....put your back into it! Using a vintage stirrup pump for a purpose it was not originally designed. 😂 Watering the community garden at HMS Tern.

29/08/2026

Great news.....Funding from the Orkney Health Board Endowment Funds has been awarded to support a new analogue photography, heritage, science and wellbeing project at HMS Tern in Birsay.

The project aims to support mental wellbeing by giving participants time to slow down, focus, build confidence and connect with others.

Led by the Birsay Heritage Trust, the project will use vintage film cameras, darkroom processes, and practical photography sessions to help young people and community groups explore Orkney’s wartime history in a creative, hands-on way.

Check our this link for more information........



https://www.ohb.scot.nhs.uk/the-orkney-health-board-endowment-funds-supports-hms-tern-analogue-photography-heritage-science-and-wellbeing-project/

29/08/2026

Thank you for the mention Liam Kerr MSP....glad you enjoyed your roadtrip and HMS Tern.

23/08/2026

Last week, we had the pleasure of welcoming Helen Cromarty from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) to our site. Helen’s visit was part of the vital ‘Species on the Edge’ project, which aims to engage local communities in the conservation of our unique wildlife.

During her time with us, she brought seeds and advised the volunteers on where to plant an array of wildflowers, an important initiative aligned with our comprehensive conservation plan for the site.

Check out our blog for the full story.

In addition to conserving artefacts and buildings, the volunteers at HMS Tern are committed to creating and preserving wild habitats on the site for the unique flora and fauna that make Orkney so special. Last week, we had the pleasure of welcoming Helen Cromarty from the Royal Society for the Prote...

21/08/2026

Stand by your beds! New event at HMS Tern. Audiovisual jamming in the air raid shelter - Sunday 6th September 2026, 12.00 - 15.00. Come along and enjoy. See poster for details.

13/08/2026

Always pleased to welcome new visitors to HMS Tern...Our new batch of chicks are really making themselves at home in the air raid shelter.😄

08/08/2026

HMS Tern Volunteers enjoying themselves at the Dounby Show last week. Thanks to everyone who turned up and had a chat.