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

  SM3268_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600009364)

Summary

Description

The monument is the remains of a complex of four coastal artillery batteries with associated accommodation camps and ancillary structures. The site was used during both the First and Second World War, with the first battery established in 1915 and the last phase of construction occurring in 1941, although it was abandoned between the wars. It is visible as a series of concrete structures, hut bases and earthworks, extending over a distance of some 700m N-S on the headland of Hoxa Head, South Ronaldsay. It forms part of a network of coastal batteries built to defend the key strategic British naval anchorage of Scapa Flow. This complex of batteries covered the southern route into the Flow in both wars. The site is located between about 5m and 35m above sea level, overlooking the shipping channel through the Sound of Hoxa. The monument was first scheduled in 1972, but the documentation did not meet modern standards: the present amendment rectifies this.

The four main batteries comprise: two First World War 6-inch QF (Quick Firing) gun emplacements; four First World War 4-inch QF gun emplacements; two Second World War 6-inch gun emplacements; and two Second World War Twin 6-pounder emplacements. Other structures supporting the emplacements include three battery observation posts, six magazines, four power houses, four crew shelters, six searchlight emplacements, several general storage and maintenance buildings and the visible remains of at least 32 concrete hut bases and other building remains.

The scheduled area is 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 above-ground elements of the interpretation panels in place around the batteries, 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, specifically, the network of defences constructed in the First and Second World War to defend the key strategic harbour of Scapa Flow. This is a well-preserved example of a multi-phase coast battery, showing a wide range of remains of this site type from both World Wars. Its significance is enhanced by the presence of rare features, such as functional fittings and internal decoration, along with the remarkable historic record in the form of stencilling and pencil graffiti within the magazines of the First World War 4-inch battery. The monument offers considerable potential to study the relationship between the various elements of the site, and to enhance our understanding both of the southern Scapa Flow 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 First and 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.