Voyage of the Scotia 1902-04

The Antarctic

Omond House in Scotia Bay after a storm

Omond House was the rather grand name given in honour of the Scottish meteorologist Robert T Omond to the building erected in 1903 on Laurie Island in the South Orkney Islands to accommodate shore-based members of the 1902-1904 Scottish National Antarctic Expedition.

After abortive investigations of several other South Orkney Island sites, which had looked promising on the inaccurate maps then available, the expedition leader, Scottish scientist and explorer William S Bruce, opted for the south coast of Laurie Island. A sheltered inlet, soon named Scotia Bay after their ship, was chosen.

While the ship was back in Buenos Aires for refit and supplies, the remaining shore party endured a particularly violent storm. The Omond House hut was nearly destroyed by enormous waves.