Work will start this week to restore an Orkney memorial in time for the centenary of a boat disaster in which hundreds of men lost their lives.
The Kitchener Memorial at Marwick Head will have its stonework restored to its original condition, its roof inspected and repaired, the ventilation reinstated and the former inspection doorway restored.
The 48-ft high stone memorial was unveiled in 1926 to commemorate Earl Kitchener, Britain’s secretary of state for war, who died when HMS Hampshire sank just off Orkney’s Atlantic coast on June 5, 1916.
The Royal Navy vessel was less than two miles from shore when it was caught up in a storm and struck a mine laid by a German U-boat. Only 12 crewmen survived.
Volunteers from the Orkney Heritage Society have now identified the names of the last of the 737 men, including Kitchener, who were lost at sea that night.
In addition to the restoration they hope to build a low arc-shaped commemorative wall alongside the tower engraved with their names.
This element of the project is subject to receiving planning permission from Orkney Islands Council and sufficient funds being raised.
The restored tower will be officially unveiled at events marking the centenary of the sinking, and relatives of some of those lost are expected to attend.
Graham Brown, spokesman for the heritage society, said: “We realise some visitors to Marwick Head may be surprised to see the Kitchener Memorial surrounded by scaffolding but we think people will understand this is necessary, for a short while, to safeguard this iconic structure and ensure it is in fine condition for the centenary events.”