Books/Articles of Flottarian Interest

Scapa Flow by Malcolm Brown and Patricia Meehan
The Claymore Story by The Occidental Public Affairs Department
The Flotta Story by The Occidental Public Affairs Department
The Islands of Orkney by Liv Kjørsvik Schei (photos by Gunnie Moberg)
The Orcadian Book of the 20th Century compiled by Howard Hazell 'New'
The Orkney Chronicles by Anne Buxton and Jacqueline McEwan 'Highly Recommended'
The Scots Magazine - Flotta to the Fore Again by Maurice Fleming
The Scots Magazine - Life is good on Flotta by Maurice Fleming
Who was Who in Orkney compiled by W. S. Hewison

I have also complied a list of those books featuring little or no Flotta specific material.

Scapa Flow by Malcolm Brown and Patricia Meehan
Published 2002 (First published 1968). 264 pages. Story of Scapa Flow during the two wars, told through the accounts of those involved. Some very good (but small) sections about Flotta during the war years. WW1: p.52 Flotta correspondent's account of the arrival of destroyers in Scapa Flow, p.75 poor conditions at the Signal Station in 1915, p.85-87, 89 recreation on Flotta, p.101 return of the Fleet from Jutland, p.110, 112 explosion of the Vanguard. WW2: p.141 building of defenses on Flotta, p.173 a day out on Flotta, p.199 Flotta's contribution to Orkneyitis, p.229 the Fleet canteen, p.232 leaving Flotta on the M.F.V.s, p.235 mention of a Unit concert-party, p.237 mention of the Flotta Island Orchestra.

The Claymore Story by The Occidental Public Affairs Department
36 pages. Story of the Claymore Oil Field in the North Sea. A thorough account of the construction of the Claymore Oil Platform. Features a two page spread about the island of Flotta's role in the project with the linking of Claymore's pipeline to that of the existing Piper pipeline.

The Flotta Story - The Development of an Oil Handling Terminal by The Occidental Public Affairs Department
Fourth edition published in 1981. 20 pages. Includes a: brief overview of the industrial history of Flotta, reasons for siting the terminal on the island, environmental and social impact to Orkney, blending the terminal into the landscape, and construction and operation of the terminal.

The Islands of Orkney by Liv Kjørsvik Schei (photos by Gunnie Moberg)
Published 2000. Excellent 5 page chapter on the history of Flotta. Describes some of the features of Flotta's landscape (Winster's Well, Peerie Gloup, Panhope etc.), mentions the weather prophet Mammie Scott, talks of the Flotta stone, past ownership of the island, Sir James Steuart of Burray's indiscretion at Panhouse with Christina Ritch, includes excerpts from George Lows description of Flotta in 1774, gives a description of some of the landmarks from the two world wars, and the coming of the oil terminal.

New
The Orcadian Book of the 20th Century compiled by Howard Hazell.
Published by The Orcadian Limited (Kirkwall Press) in 2000. 366 pages. Collection of news items taken from the Orcadian and its sister publications. From the index there are 61 references to Flotta, these are of varying breadth and interest. Subject matter includes: Professor Sutherland Simpson, some Flotta men wounded in the Boer War and the Great War, a Flotta correspondent's eyewitness account of the destruction of the Vanguard, a list of men who died in WW1, voting on prohibition, the sinking of the motor vessel Tomega, those men who died in WW2, James Simpson of the American Douglas Aircraft Company, 5 pages on the opening of the oil terminal, Margaret Thatcher visiting Flotta, a photo of the Linhav, a visit to Flotta by the Queen Mother and Sir Matt Busby's wartime links to Flotta. (Flotta names mentioned: Simpson, Flett, Thomson, Taylor, Ross, Barnett, Work, Sutherland, Sinclair, Rosie).

The Orkney Chronicles - 1900 & 1989 by Anne Buxton & Jacqueline McEwan
Published by The Jamieson Library, Newmill in 1992. 113 pages. Excellent book the majority of which is specifically about Flotta. First half of the book is from the dairy of Brenda Murray and is her account of staying at the Manse in 1900. Includes detailed descriptions of daily life including: sailing around the island, visiting islanders in their crofts, visits to the kirk and the school, and activities such as sheep shearing on Flotta Calf, singling turnips, fishing, etc. (Names mentioned: Mitchell, Simpson, Sabieson, Hill, Sutherland, Haye, Tomison, Easson, Robertson, Wyllie, Thomson, Work, Hett, Norquay, Sandieson, Stuart). Second half is from the perspective of the authors, walking in Brenda's footsteps and describing present day Flotta. (Present day names mentioned: Sinclair, Fortnum, Barnett, Flett, Rosie, Ross, Monteith, Gee, Sutherland, Crichton).

The Scots Magazine - Flotta to the Fore Again by Maurice Fleming
February 1976. 8 page article. Excellent piece about Flotta in 1976. Talks about the islanders' hopes for Flotta's future with the coming of the oil terminal, employees thoughts about the terminal, excerpts from Rev. George Barry's description of Flotta in 1805, changes to the islanders' lives and a description of the present state of Flotta School. Surnames mentioned: Rosie, Robertson, Sutherland, Russell.

The Scots Magazine - Life is good on Flotta by Maurice Fleming
April 1967. 11 page article. Excellent piece about the authors visit to the island. Gives a detailed account of his visit, he describes the island, visits the household of Windbrake and gives an account of said croft, mentions The Gale, talks about pre war farming practices, planting of trees during World War II, includes authors thoughts about soldiers once stationed on the island, Halloween traditions, population decline, the Cinema, making a living, previous visits to the island by royalty, description of the croft of Windbrake, mention of Plymouth Brethren, and plantikreus (walled cabbage patches). Names mentioned: Rosie, Sinclair, Robertson and Sutherland.

Note the following May issue of the Scots magazine contains a general article about the rest of Orkney.

Who was Who in Orkney compiled by W. S. Hewison
First published in 1998. 187 pages. List of 700 Orcadians with brief details of their lives. Those mentioned with specific Flotta connections are: Rev James Bremner b1740 minister of Walls and Flotta (7 lines), Lieut Col. Fred Buchanan served on Flotta during World War1 and again in 1939-1942 (16 lines), Magnus Halcro feued lands in Flotta in 1566 (18 lines), Dr Armand Hammer owner of Oxy (8 lines), Prof. Sutherland Simpson born Flotta (14 lines) and Forby Sutherland born Flotta (5 lines).