Burray Ness
Anti Aircraft Battery (First World War)
Site Name Burray Ness
Classification Anti Aircraft Battery (First World War)
Alternative Name(s) World War I
Canmore ID 81809
Site Number ND59NW 4
NGR ND 5036 9640
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/81809
- Council Orkney Islands
- Parish South Ronaldsay
- Former Region Orkney Islands Area
- Former District Orkney
- Former County Orkney
ND59NW 4 5036 9640
A WWI anti-aircraft battery situated on level ground near the E end of Burray Ness. Two holdfasts and the magazine survive along with several concrete platforms.
J Guy 1993; MS 210/2, 124-126
The magazine is at ND 50380 96402.
Information from RCAHMS (DE) February 2005
Field Visit (1997)
WWII Anti-aircraft Battery (ND 59 NW 4)
Elements located
The most visible elements of the military remains in this area include:
(i) An OS trig point, labelled #10648, lies to the NW periphery of the site.
(ii) Two concrete gun emplacements, 4.5m in diameter, are located 9m from the coast edge.
(iii) A subterranean magazine or bunker, constructed from mortared rubble with a concrete-covered corrugated iron roof, lies to the rear of the gun emplacements (ii). It measures 6m by 4m and is covered by a mound which measures 12m by 10m. The single doorway faces seaward and is reached via a set of concrete steps. There is a metal flue in the roof and the interior is flooded.
(iv) A set of concrete blocks, set out in the shape of a cross, may be a barrage balloon mooring site.
(v) A single gun emplacement lies to the immediate WSW of (iv). It is located 10m from the coast edge and has a diameter of 3m.
(vi) A length of drystone walling, which turns two acute angles, may have served as a gun position
(vii) The remains of several concrete plinths and the footings for a nissan hut are located to the rear of the battery, alongside piles of concrete and stone rubble.
Moore and Wilson, 1997
Coastal Zone Assessment Survey
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.
