Scheduled MonumentsScotlandRoan Head, coastal battery and camp (WW1)
Coastal battery and camp (ww1)

Roan Head, coastal battery and camp (WW1)

Scotland
HES SM10945
Site type
Coastal battery and camp (ww1)
Nation
Scotland
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Historic Environment Scotland

Overview

History & significance

Roan Head is a coastal battery and camp dating from the First World War, situated on the Orkney mainland. The site comprises defensive fortifications established to protect against naval threats during the conflict, reflecting the strategic importance of Orkney's position relative to the North Sea and the naval base at Scapa Flow. The remains include gun emplacements and associated military structures characteristic of temporary wartime installations. The site represents the broader pattern of coastal defence measures implemented throughout Scotland during 1914 to 1918, when German naval activity posed a significant threat to British waters and installations.

Roan Head, coastal battery and camp (WW1) is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM10945. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Roan Head, coastal battery and camp (WW1)?

Roan Head is a coastal battery and camp dating from the First World War, situated on the Orkney mainland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM10945.

Who is responsible for protecting Roan Head, coastal battery and camp (WW1)?

Roan Head, coastal battery and camp (WW1) is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic Environment Scotland — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in Scotland. The official designation reference is SM10945.

What other scheduled monuments are near Roan Head, coastal battery and camp (WW1)?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Roan Head, World War II Balloon Barrage site, 290m SW of, Golta (0.8 km), Golta, World War II Z Battery and Light AA Battery, Flotta (1.7 km), Buchanan Battery,Stanger Head (2.6 km).

Aubrey Research

Generate a full report for this location

Aubrey generates in-depth historical research for any address in Britain — drawing on scheduled monument data, Domesday records, Roman heritage, PAS finds and medieval history to reveal the complete story of a landscape.

Research the area around Roan Head, coastal battery and camp (WW1)