HMS Tern

08/06/2026

The remnants of the cinema located at HMS Tern offer a fascinating glimpse into the past. As you explore the site, you’ll need to picture the corrugated iron roof arching above the seating area. Despite the passage of time, the projector room remains intact, a testament to its former glory and the stories it once conveyed through light and sound.

In our latest blog post, we delve into the rich history of this unique establishment, vividly illustrating what it was like during the war years. Join us as we transport you back to a time when this cinema served as a refuge for both flying personnel and ground crew.

If you missed our blog post, the link is here...... https://tinyurl.com/mr57nxwr

08/06/2026

Imagine sitting in the small cinema building at HMS Tern, with its curved corrugated iron roof arching overhead, eagerly waiting for the main feature to begin. The place would be packed with off-duty personnel, and the air would be filled with cigarette smoke curling into the chilly atmosphere above.

As the lights dimmed, a hush would fall over the audience as the movie flickered to life on the screen. The main feature could have been an entertainingly stoic film like the 1942 production of ‘Mrs. Miniver’, or perhaps another instructional film focused on aviation.

Imagine sitting in the small cinema building at HMS Tern, with its curved corrugated iron roof arching overhead, eagerly waiting for the main feature to begin. The place would be packed with off-duty personnel, and the air would be filled with cigarette smoke curling into the chilly atmosphere above...

06/06/2026

Read all about it!..........Stromness Anchor Group wall hanging & HMS Tern in the news. The Orcadian

An impressive wall hanging has been created, commemorating Orkney’s wartime past. The work, which includes fabric recovered from a parachute, will soon be on show at the HMS Tern fire station. The project by the Anchor Group in Stromness was originally part of a wider effort to bring a poignant ar...

06/06/2026

We are excited to present a beautiful wall hanging created by the talented members of the Anchor Group, based in the Orkney town of Stromness. This remarkable piece reflects the creativity and craftsmanship that thrives within our community, and we are pleased to showcase it in the cinema alongside ‘Vera’s Story’- the inspiration for the artwork.’

We are excited to present a beautiful wall hanging created by the talented members of the Anchor Group, based in the Orkney town of Stromness. This remarkable piece reflects the creativity and craf…

05/06/2026

Just a quick trip through the foyer of the cinema........

04/06/2026

Look at me now! Do you remember the pigeon chicks that were once nesting in our control tower? It's hard to believe how much they've matured in just a few short weeks. They've now taken their first flights and left the nest, embarking on their own journeys into the world.

The site has become a sanctuary brimming with a huge and diverse range of wild birds and other wildlife. Over the years, ever since the last planes departed and the service personnel moved on, animals have found their way into the numerous hidden nooks and crannies, making their homes in what was once a wartime airfield.

Each corner holds its own little ecosystem, showcasing the resilience and adaptability of wildlife - something which we are actively encouraging at the site.

04/06/2026

I just love it when a place stirs someone to write.....and especially when it's HMS Tern.........Terry Thornhill sent us this haunting poem entitled 'The Voices of the Past 'about the airfield and the men and women who served there.........

On the airfield here they say In the twilight of the day You can listen to the pilots As they talk From the shadows far away As the grass begins sway In the silence round the grounds They all stil…

02/06/2026

The Mystery of the Whisky Bottle in the Air-Raid Shelter.....This is not the title of a new murder mystery television show; rather, it is the intriguing story of an everyday object from the 1940s that was recently discovered in an unexpected place.

This object, a whisky bottle, was found at the historic HMS Tern Living Museum Airfield, located in Orkney—a site rich in history and significance. The discovery sheds light on the daily lives of individuals in that era and provides a tangible connection to the past, reminding us of the fascinating stories hidden within the rubbish discarded so many years ago.

Read more in our blog....

This is not the title of a new murder mystery television show; rather, it is the intriguing story of an everyday object from the 1940s that was recently discovered in an unexpected place. This obje…

01/06/2026

HMS Tern Living Museum is a treasure trove of fascinating equipment and memorabilia that vividly captures the 1940s wartime era, when the airfield was fully operational and bustling with activity.

Among the impressive collection is the quirky Excelsior Autobyk. This exhibit not only showcases the innovative engineering of its time but also serves as a tangible link to the past, allowing visitors to appreciate the historical significance and the stories associated with the airfield and its operations during a pivotal moment in history. Each item in the museum tells a story, preserving the legacy of those who served and lived through the challenges of war.

See our blog for more....



https://hmstern.blog/2026/06/01/reviving-history-the-excelsior-autobyk-and-its-role-in-wartime-britain/

29/05/2026

Orkney and HMS Tern were at the forefront of innovation at the close of World War 2. Orkney, of course, is still pioneering in renewable energy and research, but it was here that the Sikorsky R-4, also known as the Hoverfly I in the UK, flew from the airfield on training and evaluation flights.

No surviving helicopters remain at HMS Tern, but we are trying to track down any photographs or indeed stories related to the Hoverfly I at the airfield. Do get in touch if you have stories of relatives working with the aircraft or photographs lurking in the attic.

Apparently, the helicopter was very difficult to fly, even if it was at the cutting edge of technology. Probably leading to the incident referred to in our blog!

HMS Tern truly stood at the forefront of innovation in the latter years of World War II. It was here that the Sikorsky R-4, also known as the Hoverfly, made history as the world’s first mass-…