Orkney Image Library

The access tunnels to the tanks were constructed with staggered blast proof walls so as to limit the effects of any well-placed enemy bomb/shell that might land at the entrance. The walls have long since been removed although it does allow a visitor to walk unimpeded along the tunnel. Having visited the site on a couple of occasions in the company of Lewis Munro - a mine of information - I can say that what lies at the end of the tunnels is very impressive. One enters a huge, cavern containing the massive tanks, the darkness (when torches are switched off) being total. On one occasion when it was bitterly cold with light snow showers, the experience of leaving the tunnel proved interesting. The outside air - despite snow and a biting wind - actually seemed warm, compared with the chill in the depths of Wee Fea. The site is absolutely fascinating and a testament to the hardy souls that excavated the guts of a hill. Ever since first visiting 'the tanks' it has struck me as something of a shame that whilst much has been written about the engineering feat surrounding the construction of the Churchill Barriers, little has been put into print about the building of the tanks beneath Wee Fea Hill. Furthermore, it would be a pity, not to mention a loss to Orkney's heritage, if the tanks and tunnels were to fall into total disrepair. (Accepting, of course, that to ensure their survival would require massive funding besides the usual, 21st century issue, of health and safety!)

In 1954, while stationed at Rockworks, I had a fortnightly committment to visit the Oil Fuel Depot at Lyness and on one occasion climbed the vertical ladder to the top of the underground tank, foolishly without climbing harness. So far as I remember it contained fuel oil, not petrol. At that time there was a panic over the suspension of Persian oil supplies and the alternative was a much heavier grade which could not be pumped easily. The solution was to heat the pipes. This meant replacing all the cast iron pipes throughout the depot with steel pipes and steam tracers, which was the project I was involved in as quantity surveyor.