Inchkeith, South Fire Trench
Trench(S) (First World War)
Site Name Inchkeith, South Fire Trench
Classification Trench(S) (First World War)
Alternative Name(s) Forth Defences
Canmore ID 297882
Site Number NT28SE 5.28
NGR NT 29586 82247
NGR Description NT 29566 82231 to NT 29565 82247
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/297882
- Council Fife
- Parish Kinghorn
- Former Region Fife
- Former District Kirkcaldy
- Former County Fife
NT28SE 5.28 29566 82231 to 29565 82247
An 83m long section of fire trench is situated immediately S of No.3 Fort and S 6-inch gun battery. Part of the length is covered with thick wooden planks and the SW part has wooden revetting held by metal stanchions. At NT 29586 82246 at the change in angle of the trench is a circular picket post and at this point the trench also has a firing step.
The preFirst World War Ordnance Survey plan of the Island depicts the fire trench and picket post with 'wire entanglements' to the S and SE. Both this plan and the WO plan (RCAHMS MS 879/83) show that the trench continues around the W side of A Group battery (NT28SE 5.03) to link with the W end of the northern rock cut ditch (Fort No.3, NT28SE 1.03) at a point formerly a drawbridge providing access to the Fort.
Visited by RCAHMS (DE, AL), 25 February, 4 and 5 March 2009.
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.
