Scheduled Maintenance
Please be advised that this website will undergo scheduled maintenance on the following dates: •
Tuesday 3rd December 11:00-15:00
During these times, some services may be temporarily unavailable. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
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.
