Visit Rerwick Head Battery, Orkney, Scotland

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A strategic battery protecting the approaches to Kirkwall Bay from naval attack. The battery was initially armed in 1940 with a single 4.7-inch Quick Firing (QF) gun before being upgraded in 1941 to two 6-inch Breech Loading (BL) Mk. VII guns removed from HMS Iron Duke. The battery has a number of associated structures still remaining; two searchlight emplacements, a magazine, air raid shelter, crew shelter, and the two-storey Battery Observation Post (BOP). There are also two engine houses for power generation, and a range of concrete bases for domestic structures. There is also evidence that the cottage on site was used, likely to accommodation Officers of the battery. Colocated with the battery are two other structures, one which appears to be an Extended Defence Officers (EXDO) post and the other a large observation post. The site is a designated scheduled monument. The citation reads: "This monument is of national importance because it has an inherent potential to make a significant addition to our understanding of the past, specifically, the network of defences constructed in the Second World War to defend the key strategic harbour of Kirkwall. This is a well-preserved example of a coastal battery, showing a wide range of remains of this site type. Its significance is enhanced by the rare survival of features such as the wooden fittings and internal decoration. The monument offers considerable potential to study the relationship between the various elements of the site, and to enhance our understanding both of the Kirkwall defences and the wider defences in place around Orkney and beyond. These monumental concrete structures are a tangible and powerful reminder of one of the defining events of the 20th century. If this monument was to be lost or damaged, it would significantly affect our ability to understand the nature and scale of the efforts made to defend Britain against enemy naval threats in the Second World War and diminish the association between Orcadians today and those who lived and served in Orkney during the war."

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