Description

The monument is the remains of an anti-aircraft battery and gun-laying radar site dating from the Second World War. It is visible as a series of concrete structures, timber poles and associated earthwork and concrete remains. The main battery comprises four 4.5 inch gun emplacements, with the remains of a command post, four crew shelters and a gun-laying radar position. Unusually, some of the timber posts used to support the metal mesh 'mat' for the gun-laying radar also survive. This battery is part of a network of Second World War anti-aircraft batteries built to defend the strategic harbour of Scapa Flow. It is located at around 35m above sea level on one of the highest points on the island of South Walls, overlooking Longhope Bay to the north and the Pentland Firth to the south.

The scheduled area is irregular on plan and includes the remains described above and an area around them within which evidence relating to the monument's construction and use is expected to survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map. Specifically excluded from the scheduling are the above-ground elements of all post-and-wire fences to allow for their maintenance.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

This monument is of national importance because it has an inherent potential to make a significant addition to our understanding of the past, in particular the aerial defences of the Second World War. This is an exceptionally well-preserved example of an anti-aircraft battery, showing the technological development in aerial defence during the Second World War and utilising a strong strategic position. It includes some rare features, such as the unusual square design of three of the four emplacements and the survival of some of the timber posts that supported the radar 'mat'. The monument offers considerable potential to study the relationship between the various elements of the site, and its relationship both with the other elements of the Scapa Flow defences and the wider defences in place around Orkney and beyond. The loss of the monument would significantly diminish our future ability to appreciate and understand the construction and use of aerial defences in Scotland during the Second World War.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as ND38NW 24 (01 and 02).

References

Brown, I 2002, 20th Century Defences in Britain: an Introductory Guide. Council for British Archaeology, York.

Dobinson, C 2001, AA command: Britain's Anti-Aircraft Defences of the Second World War. London: Methuen.

Canmore

https://canmore.org.uk/site/81778/
https://canmore.org.uk/site/140757/
https://canmore.org.uk/site/269885/

Source: Historic Environment Scotland