A remarkable collection of centuries-old Ottoman weapons, once owned by the distinguished naval Commodore Captain James Moodie, has finally returned to Orkney after more than 300 years.
The historic artefacts – a sabre and scabbard, a mace, and a dagger and sheath – were gifted to Capt.
Moodie in 1707 by Archduke Charles of Austria.
Passed down through generations of the Moodie family, the treasures have now been donated to Orkney Islands Council’s Museums service, bringing them home to the islands where Moodie’s legacy was cemented in both history and tragedy.
These stunning weapons, crafted in the 1600s and adorned with exquisite detailing, are believed to have been left behind by retreating Ottoman forces following the failed Siege of Vienna in 1683.
Accompanying the collection is an autographed letter from the Archduke, later Emperor Charles VI, commending Moodie’s bravery during the siege of Denia, as well as a portrait of the Commodore, believed to be painted by Thomas Murray around 1715-1720.
For centuries, these artefacts remained in family ownership, travelling from Orkney to South Africa with Benjamin Moodie in 1817, later making their way to Rhodesia and back again.
Now, they are set to be displayed in The Orkney Museum from May 2025, allowing the public to see these exceptional pieces of history.
Moodie was a renowned and enigmatic figure, serving in the Royal Navy at a time of major European power struggles.
His career was marked by his role in the War of the Spanish Succession, where in 1707 he led a small garrison in repelling 9,000 French troops besieging Denia, earning him the Archduke’s gratitude.
However, his later years in Orkney were defined by a bitter feud with Sir James Stewart of Burray, a Jacobite adversary.
This vendetta reached a bloody conclusion on 26 October 1725 when Moodie was ambushed and shot at close range in Broad Street, Kirkwall, on his way to renew his position as Justice of the Peace.
He died days later at the age of 80.
Despite 18 witnesses naming Stewart as the instigator, no one was ever charged for the crime.
Until now, the only Moodie-related artefact on display in Orkney was a pair of spectacles he had on him at the time of the attack.
The return of these weapons, after years of failed attempts to secure them for the museum, marks a major victory for Orkney’s cultural heritage.
Council Convener Graham Bevan praised the Moodie family’s commitment to keeping the collection intact and ultimately gifting it to Orkney.
“Faced with the choice of selling these valuable pieces or ensuring they remained together for the people of Orkney, the family chose the latter. We are profoundly grateful.”
The final acquisition was made possible with support from the Robertson Ness Trust, the Museums Association Beecroft Bequest, the National Fund for Acquisitions, and the Orkney Heritage Society, with additional assistance from Northlink and the Council’s Marine Services.
Nick Hewitt, Culture Team Manager for Orkney Islands Council, said the team had almost given up hope of securing the collection before the surprise donation.
“From near defeat to welcoming these treasures home – it’s simply wondrous.
“We can’t wait to share them with the public.”
The Moodie Treasures will undergo conservation and careful mounting before going on display in The Orkney Museum this summer, offering a long-awaited glimpse into Orkney’s past.
