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

  SM13560_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600014532)

Summary

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.

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, 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.

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.