Description

The monument consists of a gun, gun emplacement, magazine and associated remains, dating to the First World War.

The 6-inch naval gun installed in 1917 survives within its circular concrete emplacement, within which are ready-use lockers. A fox- hole, or entrenchment, near to the emplacement provided rapid shelter. To the north of the emplacement is a sunken concrete magazine, with ventilation holes in its roof. On the edge of the nearby cliffs are the remains of a hoist used to deliver supplies to the gun-crew, which was provided by the Royal Marines.

The area to be scheduled is irregular on plan, bounded on the S by the top edge of the sea cliffs and including the gun, gun emplacement, fox-hole, magazine and hoist, as marked in red on the accompanying map.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance as one of the very few coastal defence sites with its gun in-situ, and also as part of an integrated system of defence which illustrates the principles of coastal defence as practiced in 1918, when the major threat was seen as water-borne. It is also of historical significance as a tangible reminder of the vital strategic role played by Shetland in the two World Wars.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as HU53NW 11.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland