Publication Account

Date 1981

Event ID 1018473

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Publication Account

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1018473

Montrose's occupation of Orkney to a great degree led to the construction of two fortresses at Kirkwall by Cromwell in the 1650s. At least one of the forts was still being used in 1700. Wallace noted that 'at the north end of the town is a place built by the English in Oliver's time, ditched with breastwork, and some other fortifications on which they have some cannon planted for the defence of the Harbour' (1700, 79). Barry noted the same structure - 'rude vestiges of a temporary fort thrown up on the spur of the occasion by Oliver Cromwell' (1805, 23). On the opposite side of the bay from the burgh he observed that 'another of the same kind has evidently been marked out, in order that they might co-operate in either annoying or protecting the harbour' (Barry, 1805, 23). By Hossack's day the fort at the western side of the bay had become a quarry (1900, 414). On the eastern side of the bay nothing of the fort remains visible above ground. The fieldwork on the edge of the promontory west of the coastguard stations 'seems to represent mainly the gun positions of the late Volunteer Battery' with additions made during the First World War (RCAM, 1946, II, 163). Evidence was found of a trench some six feet (2m) deep with a fire step running down towards Weyland Farm, but all this defensive work has since been obliterated (RCAM, 1946, II, 163).

Information from ‘Historic Kirkwall: The Archaeological Implications of Development’ (1977).