Costa Hill, Ernie Tower

Orkney Energy Landscapes explored the past, present and future of energy production and its role in shaping the identity of the islands. Orkney has a long history of energy testing and production, from the use of traditional fuels such as peat, to the more recent extraction of oil, exploration of uranium, and the current world-leading renewables industry (wind, wave and tidal). Taking these energy themes the project explored five main areas, undertaking walkover and measured survey, building recording, oral history, and school outreach, run as a series of community events.

Additional site details will be available in the project report.

The project is a collaboration between ORCA, University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) Archaeology Institute and the Department of Social Anthropology, University of St Andrews.

Archive: NRHE (intended)

Funder: National Lottery Heritage Fund, EMEC

Daniel Lee and Richard Irvine – ORCA, UHI Archaeological Institute and University of St Andrews

(Source: DES Vol 22)

HY 31117 29721 Costa Hill wind turbine (Canmore ID: 157903) At Costa Hill (Site 1), the remains of the world’s first grid connected wind turbine were recorded for the first time, comprising anemometers, a turbine base and control building. Initial archive research has shown that there was only a low presence on the hill during the Second World War, and the current classification of the site in Canmore as a Radio Station is incorrect. Large anemometers were erected by William Golding in the late 1940s to test the site for an experimental wind turbine. Steel framework from the largest anemometer tower was present on the site until recently and is pictured in Canmore. The concrete base of the largest anemometer (HY 31068 29770) is still visible to the NW of the building surrounded by three concrete cable anchor points.

The 100KW wind turbine was completed by c1955 and operated for a short time. Remains of the turbine tower (three steel leg bases set in concrete) survive within an area of hard standing to the S of a rectangular concrete and stone building. The building functioned as a control room and has now been gutted and adapted as an animal shelter. There is an access track from the turbine around the southern part of the hill to the road. Aerial photographs from 1948 indicate that both the building and track were contemporary with the turbine, and not dating from the Second World War as previously assumed. Walkover survey was conducted in the area around the turbines, including earthworks and other concrete anchor points (Sites C1–7). Building recording was undertaken for the control centre. The experimental turbine successfully demonstrated that large-scale wind devices could generate power for the grid.

Additional site details will be available in the project report.

The project is a collaboration between ORCA, University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) Archaeology Institute and the Department of Social Anthropology, University of St Andrews.

Archive: NRHE (intended)

Funder: National Lottery Heritage Fund, EMEC

Daniel Lee and Richard Irvine – ORCA, UHI Archaeological Institute and University of St Andrews

(Source: DES Vol 22)