Hackness Martello Tower

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Hackness Martello Tower and Battery

Orkney

Hacknessmartello.jpg
Hackness Martello Tower
Type: Martello tower
Location
Grid reference: ND33849128
Location: 58°48’14"N, 3°8’49"W
History
Built 1815
Information
Owned by: Ministry of Defence
(in the care of Historic Scotland)
Website: Hackness Martello Tower and Battery

Hackness Martello Tower and Battery is a Napoleonic shore defence tower with barracks and museum, located on the island of South Walls, in Orkney.

History

Barracks

The Martello tower, together with another on the north side at Crockness, was built in 1815 to protect British ships in the bay of Longhope against attack by American and French privateers, during the Napoleonic Wars, while they waited for a Royal Navy escort on their journey to Baltic ports.[1]

The towers were upgraded, with the installation of new guns and other structures, in 1866 at a time of concern about the possibility of another French invasion.[2]

Outside links

Commons-logo.svg
("Wikimedia Commons" has material
about Hackness Martello Tower)

References