12-pounder Emplacement (West) - Ready Use Ammunition Locker - Electric Cartridges
Serving as both a First and Second World War battery, Houton Head was one of the last defences against enemy boats attempting to gain access to Scapa Flow. Paired with Scad battery on the Isle of Hoy, Houton Head was the termination of a 3km long chain net barrier to slow or stop attacking ships and submarines. The two Quick Firing (QF) guns of each battery able to fire on ships as they approached the barrier if needed.
Houton Head Battery retains three searchlight emplacements placed at the bottom of the cliffs, each built on a raised platform (possibly of WW1 origin). There are two covered 12-pounder QF gun emplacements, each with an associated crew shelter. There is also a workshop and magazine between both emplacements, and a Battery Observation Post (BOP). A Naval signal station sits on top of the hill, which was also used as the BOP until it was relocated closer to the emplacements. A hardened engine house and domestic accommodation is also located on top of the hill.
Separation of the Second World War remains from those constructed 30 years earlier is difficult, much of the earlier site having likely been demolished or built over.
12-pounder Emplacement (West) - Ready Use Ammunition Locker - Electric Cartridges
Serving as both a First and Second World War battery, Houton Head was one of the last defences against enemy boats attempting to gain access to Scapa Flow. Paired with Scad battery on the Isle of Hoy, Houton Head was the termination of a 3km long chain net barrier to slow or stop attacking ships and submarines. The two Quick Firing (QF) guns of each battery able to fire on ships as they approached the barrier if needed.
Houton Head Battery retains three searchlight emplacements placed at the bottom of the cliffs, each built on a raised platform (possibly of WW1 origin). There are two covered 12-pounder QF gun emplacements, each with an associated crew shelter. There is also a workshop and magazine between both emplacements, and a Battery Observation Post (BOP). A Naval signal station sits on top of the hill, which was also used as the BOP until it was relocated closer to the emplacements. A hardened engine house and domestic accommodation is also located on top of the hill.
Separation of the Second World War remains from those constructed 30 years earlier is difficult, much of the earlier site having likely been demolished or built over.