History

The pier at St Margaret’s Hope was created by an act of parliament in 1902.  At the time, South Ronaldsay was separated from the rest of Orkney by Water Sound and a direct shipping service was essential.

The official opening of the pier at St Margaret’s Hope was in 1906 when the sheriff at Kirkwall Sheriff Court issued the owners with a certificate to declare the pier fit for purpose.

The pier was opened at a time when there was a boom in the herring industry in Scotland.  This source of revenue has since declined in importance. The pier also played its part during the two world wars when it was part of the infrastructure of the naval base in Scapa Flow.

After the Churchill barriers had a road constructed over them in the 1940s, St Margaret’s Hope Pier fell into decline.

Eventually, the advent of a new RoRo ferry service between St Margaret’s Hope and Gills Bay on the Scottish mainland revitalised the pier. St Margaret’s Hope is now one of the three most important harbours in Orkney. Fishing has again risen in importance with the pier acting as a base for some of the fish farms located in Scapa Flow. The harbour, boatyard, and slipway also remain very active.

The Pier and Harbour at St Margaret’s Hope are managed by a trust.  It is the responsibility of the trust to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the pier and harbour under their jurisdiction.