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

  SM13500_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600014519)

Summary

Description

The monument is a coast artillery battery, built during the First World War and upgraded during the Second World War. It forms part of a network of coastal batteries constructed during both the First and Second World Wars to defend the key strategic naval harbour of Scapa Flow. Holm Battery overlooks and was built to protect Holm Sound, an important access route into Scapa Flow from the E (before the construction of the Churchill barriers). The remains are visible as a series of concrete structures, hut bases and communication and cabling trenches. The battery comprises two First World War 4-inch gun emplacements and three Second World War brick and concrete gun emplacements: two 12-pounder quick-firing (QF) gun emplacements and a twin 6-pounder emplacement. The associated remains include: a battery observation post; two crew shelters; magazines and searchlight emplacements; two engine houses; a machine gun nest; several concrete hut bases; and a series of cabling and communication trenches. The battery is located on a slope overlooking Holm Sound, at between 10-15m OD.

The scheduling consists of two areas, both irregular on plan, to include 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. The scheduling specifically excludes the above-ground elements of the post-and-wire fences around the site and the top 300mm of the surface of the track to allow for their maintenance and upkeep.

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 First and Second World Wars to protect the key British naval harbour of Scapa Flow. This is a well-preserved example of a coast artillery battery in a strong strategic position, retaining some rare features (such as the unique searchlight emplacements) and showing multiple phases of construction. The monument offers considerable potential to study the relationship between the various components 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. 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 both the First and Second World Wars, and diminish the association between Orcadians today and their ancestors who lived and served in the Wars. These monumental concrete structures are a tangible and powerful reminder of one of the defining events of the 20th century.

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.