Documents

Where documents include maps, the use of this data is subject to terms and conditions (https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/termsandconditions).

The legal document available for download below constitutes the formal designation of the monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. The additional details provided on this page are provided for information purposes only and do not form part of the designation. Historic Environment Scotland accepts no liability for any loss or damages arising from reliance on any inaccuracies within this additional information.

• Type

  Legal Documents

  Title

  SM13564_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600014533)

Summary

Description

The monument is the remains of a coastal artillery battery and associated accommodation camp, established in 1940 and in use during the Second World War. It is visible as the remains of a series of concrete structures. It forms part of a network of coastal batteries built to defend the key strategic harbour of Kirkwall. It is located on the coast some 2.3km SE of Tingwall, on ground that slopes gently from about 20m above sea level down to the shoreline.

Wasswick Battery was one of three batteries covering the approaches to Kirkwall (the others were at Car Ness and Rerwick Head). It overlooks the entrances to the shipping channels of Shapinsay Sound to the N and Deer Sound to the SE. The main battery comprises two 12-pounder gun emplacements, with associated battery observation post and magazine, together with three searchlights, two engine rooms, a crew shelter, a gun store and a workshop building.

The scheduling comprises three separate areas, spread over a distance of around 360m E-W by 170m N-S (maximum), to include the remains described above and areas 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. The scheduling specifically excludes the above-ground elements of the post-and-wire fences in the area to allow for their maintenance. The scheduling extends up to but specifically excludes the modern agricultural shed to the SW of the emplacements.

Statement of National Importance

This monument is of national importance because it has an inherent potential to make a significant addition to our understanding of the past, specifically, the network of defences constructed in the Second World War to defend the key strategic harbour at Kirkwall. This is a well-preserved example of a coastal battery, showing a wide range of remains of this site type. Its significance is enhanced by the presence of rare features, such as the wooden fittings and internal decoration. The monument offers considerable potential to study the relationship between the various elements of the site, and to enhance our understanding both of the Kirkwall defences and the wider defences in place around Orkney and beyond. These monumental concrete structures are a tangible and powerful reminder of one of the defining events of the 20th century. If this monument was to be lost or damaged, it would significantly affect our ability to understand the nature and scale of the efforts made to defend Britain against enemy naval threats in the Second World War and diminish the association between Orcadians today and those who lived and served in Orkney during the war.

References

Bibliography

About Scheduled Monuments

Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for designating sites and places at the national level. These designations are Scheduled monuments, Listed buildings, Inventory of gardens and designed landscapes and Inventory of historic battlefields.

We make recommendations to the Scottish Government about historic marine protected areas, and the Scottish Ministers decide whether to designate.

Scheduling is the process that identifies, designates and provides statutory protection for monuments and archaeological sites of national importance as set out in the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979.

We schedule sites and monuments that are found to be of national importance using the selection guidance published in Designation Policy and Selection Guidance (2019)

Scheduled monument records provide an indication of the national importance of the scheduled monument which has been identified by the description and map. The description and map (see ‘legal documents’ above) showing the scheduled area is the designation of the monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. The statement of national importance and additional information provided are supplementary and provided for general information purposes only. Historic Environment Scotland accepts no liability for any loss or damages arising from reliance on any inaccuracies within the statement of national importance or additional information. These records are not definitive historical or archaeological accounts or a complete description of the monument(s).

The format of scheduled monument records has changed over time. Earlier records will usually be brief. Some information will not have been recorded and the map will not be to current standards. Even if what is described and what is mapped has changed, the monument is still scheduled.

Scheduled monument consent is required to carry out certain work, including repairs, to scheduled monuments. Applications for scheduled monument consent are made to us. We are happy to discuss your proposals with you before you apply and we do not charge for advice or consent. More information about consent and how to apply for it can be found on our website at www.historicenvironment.scot.

Find out more about scheduling and our other designations at www.historicenvironment.scot/advice-and-support. You can contact us on 0131 668 8914 or at designations@hes.scot.