H.M.S. Hood Today
The Hood Stones of Loch Eriboll, Scotland
Updated 28-Nov-2018

Information about the Hood-related places around Loch Eriboll in northwestern Scotland.

For 65 plus years, the name "HOOD" has stood silent watch over Loch Eriboll from a hillside above Laid and Portnancon, Scotland. There are two sets of stones, a lower set near 58 30 31.3N   004 43 17.1W and a larger, upper set nearby at 58°30'25.14"N   004°43'25.80"W . The names are made up of large whitewashed stones which were set-in place by crew members of Hood back in 1935 (when the Loch was a popular Royal Navy anchorage). The men from Hood were not alone in setting their mark upon the hill - there is a mix of old and new names on display, to include Valiant, Whirlwind, Blake, H48, and most recently, Sutherland and Bulwark.

The stones sat for many years, until 1993, when children from the nearby Durness Primary School undertook the first of several efforts to restore and maintain them. The children went to the site, cleared much of the undergrowth from around the stones, then painted them bright white. This was followed by another trip in 1995 (when the area and the site were visited by HRH Prince Charles) and yet another in 1999. The paint and materials were generously provided by the Royal Navy and local citizens. Because of these efforts, a close relationship has been formed between the school and the H.M.S. Hood Association. In return for their hard work on the stones, H.M.S. Hood Association President Ted Briggs has presented the school with a framed print of Hood signed by him.

Local community groups have been trying to get the hillside recongised as a protected historical site for some years now. Unfortunately, despite repeated attempts, the citizens have been unable to raised the interest and funding necessary despite appeals to the MOD, the Commonwealth Wargraves Commission and even the Queen.

The stones were repaired by the crew of H.M.S. Sutherland in April 2013. They cleared away some growth and applied a new coating of whitewash. We are most grateful for this thoughtful and kind endeavour. Association members visited the stones as late as November 2018 and found them to be in good repair (which indicates that they've been well cared for). We are most grateful to all who take care of the HOOD stones.

 

• You can view the site in Google Maps by clicking here.
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Photos of the Hood Stones & Children

Above- The upper Hood Stones as seen following the 1999 restoration

Above- The children preparing to set off on their visit to the Hood Stones (1999)

Above- The children sitting around the "H" (1999)

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Eriboll Church

The "Hood Stones" are not the only memorial/monument to the ship in the Durness area. A memorial plaque to H.M.S. Hood was unveiled in Eriboll Church in 1997. Together with the stones on the nearby hillside, it stands as a testament to the crew and ship that were the symbol of Britain's supremacy as a sea power. Click on the image to the right to view an enlarged version.

For more information on Durness and Loch Eriboll, please visit their official website.