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Brough Ness, Coastguard Lookout Station

Coastguard Station (20th Century), Observation Post (Second World War), Observation Post (First World War)

Site Name Brough Ness, Coastguard Lookout Station

Classification Coastguard Station (20th Century), Observation Post (Second World War), Observation Post (First World War)

Alternative Name(s) Brough

Canmore ID 270331

Site Number ND48SW 17

NGR ND 44503 82917

Datum OSGB36 - NGR

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/270331

Ordnance Survey licence number AC0000807262. All rights reserved.
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Administrative Areas

  • Council Orkney Islands
  • Parish South Ronaldsay
  • Former Region Orkney Islands Area
  • Former District Orkney
  • Former County Orkney

Archaeology Notes

ND48SW 17 44503 82917

The coastguard lookout station situated on Brough Ness is of World War II origin.

Built of brick and concrete, rendered with harling it is of two storeys.

Possibly used as an observation post during WW II.

Visited by RCAHMS(DE, GS), August 1997.

Activities

Project (March 2013 - September 2013)

A project to characterise the quantity and quality of the Scottish resource of known surviving remains of the First World War. Carried out in partnership between Historic Scotland and RCAHMS.

Note (12 November 2013)

The coastguard lookout station is identical to one on the Shetland Islands (see HU54SW 25). Stell (2010) records that anecdotal evidence suggests it may have been in use during or even before the First World War. Stell also records that it is similar to a Coastguard and Admiralty signal station at Whitby built in 1911. It seems likely that the Shetland and Orkney examples are built by the Coastguard and Admiralty prior to the First World War.

A later metal walkway has been put around the W and S sides of the building.

Information from RCAHMS (AKK) 12 November 2013.

References

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