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 for the defence of the N approach to the anchorage at Lerwick, survives within its circular concrete emplacement, within which are ready-use lockers. Adjacent to the emplacement is a sunken concrete magazine. Some distance to the W are the remains of a hoist, used to assist the bringing of ammunition and supplies to the summit of the hill, while to the S lie the remains of the temporary huts which housed the gun-crew.

The area to be scheduled is triangular in plan, and includes the gun, gun emplacement, magazine, hoist and hut foundations, 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 practised in 1918, when the main 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 two World Wars.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as HU54SW 24.0.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland