Inchkeith, Practice Battery
Practice Battery (First World War), Practice Battery (19th Century) - (20th Century)
Site Name Inchkeith, Practice Battery
Classification Practice Battery (First World War), Practice Battery (19th Century) - (20th Century)
Alternative Name(s) Forth Defences
Canmore ID 298406
Site Number NT28SE 1.06
NGR NT 2956 8241
NGR Description NT c. 2956 8237 to NT c. 2954 8246
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/298406
- Council Fife
- Parish Kinghorn
- Former Region Fife
- Former District Kirkcaldy
- Former County Fife
NT28SE 1.06 c. 2956 8237 to c. 2954 8246
No evidence could be found for the 'practice battery' annotated on the Ordnance Survey 2nd Edition date plan of the Island situated at the top of a steep rise from the SE shore.
Eight emplacements are depicted on the plan along with ammunition and artillery stores. A brick building at NT 29543 82403 may be the same building depicted as the 'ammunition store' on the plan.
Visited by RCAMS (DE), 4th and 5th March 2009
Following a photographic survey in February 2009, RCAHMS returned to Inchkeith in February 2010 to undertake a measured drawing survey of selected structures. During this work further mapping plots using a GPS positioning unit was undertaken. Elements of the practice battery were found in deep undergrowth and at least four of the holdfasts were found. Two of the holdfasts were of a type for a muzzle loading gun similar to those found at the Barry Buddon ranges, one of which was excavated by the GUARD 'Two Men in a Trench' survey (GUARD 2001).
Information from RCAHMS (DRE), 2010.
Excavation (August 2007 - October 2007)
NT 2960 8230 (centred on) An archaeological survey and assessment were undertaken of an area proposed for a temporary anemometer mast and anchor point, at the southern end of Inchkeith Island during August–October 2007. The assessment identified 13 structures and four areas of archaeological interest in an area of approximately 5400m².
The subsequent excavation consisted of six ‘trenches’ for securing the base and anchor points of the mast. The trenches demonstrated the degraded nature of much of the volcanic bedrock in addition to illustrating that certain areas retain deep soil profiles. Finds from the excavations were late 19th and 20th-century in date. Archaeological features included cables and services, relating to the First or Second World War occupation. All archaeological features were left in situ.
Archive and Report: RCAHMS (intended)
Funder: SLP Energy Ltd
Dan Atkinson and George Geddes (Headland Archaeology Ltd), 2008
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 (6 November 2013)
Two practice batteries, one of which is annotated 'Former Practice Battery' is depicted on a War Office plan on the water supply on Inchkeith (The National Archives WO 78/5161). To the west of the southernmost battery, which appears to be still active in 1913, are two buildings. That to the N was an 'Ammunition Store', and that to the S was an 'Artillery Store'. The DRF post for the battery lies to the N of the Ammunition store midway between and to the west of the two practice batteries.
In the Fort Record Book (The National Archives WO 192/251) it notes that in August 1901 four 5-inch B.L. guns on vavasseur carriages were installed as a practice battery.
Information from RCAHMS (AKK) 6 November 2013.
