36 C O N T E X T 1 3 6 : S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 4 also a concern, there being little tangible evidence of Viking occupation. The neolithic world heritage site presents the usual problem of over-use, particularly from the tramping feet of 2–3,000 visitors a day in high season, mainly from cruise ships and for the Ring of Brodgar. There are no reciprocal funds for reparation of the pathway inside the standing stones. Skara Brae has suffered so much in the past that parts have had to be re-buried. Another threat to this unique area is effect on the setting of the constant demand for wind turbines in surrounding fields. It is perhaps the wartime remains that present the greatest conservation challenge.The Scapa Flow museum is informative and larger artefacts are presented in what had been a large oil container (which has a limited lifespan as it is suffering pit corrosion. But the piers, wharves and large hangars are in a parlous state. Although a good start has been made at Ness Battery with the repair of the huts, the gun emplacements themselves are providing technically challenging difficulties due to carbonation surrounding the metal reinforcement and the corrosion of metal supports. All these problems require massive cash injections to features which, although vital to the historic record, possibly lack the cachet of a medieval defensive system. Nature, as ever, has been taking over, generating sites of special scientific interest, which can be in conflict with large visitor numbers. Security from vandals and trophy hunters requires high fences and locked gates. A neighbouring golf course clearly had a different set of conservation values in respect of the wartime archaeology. The Orkney tour served not only to educate, and to stimulate the conservation palate, but also illustrated the theme of the 2014 school: the art of conservation. Tom Hunter had devised an array of sites to illustrate the theme, including art in the form of sculpture (the neolithic standing stones, the west front of the cathedral and the grave slabs within); art in the form of stained glass (Melsetter Chapel); and art in the form of the breathtakingly beautiful interior of the Italian Chapel, the final optional stop on the tour, whose humble Nissen hut structure is visited by hundreds of people every day in high season. Carole Ryan The Italian Chapel on Lamb Holm, an adapted Nissen hut which was decorated by second world war Italian prisoners of war (Photo: Fiona Newton) The IHBC would like to thank the sponsors of this year’s Annual School Main sponsor Supported by Refreshments sponsor Reception sponsor Borders tour sponsor Orkney Opportunity sponsor
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