Hackness Martello Tower and Battery | |
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Orkney | |
Hackness Martello Tower
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Location within Orkney
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Coordinates | 58°48′13″N 03°08′48″W / 58.80361°N 3.14667°WCoordinates: 58°48′13″N 03°08′48″W / 58.80361°N 3.14667°W |
Type | Barracks |
Site information | |
Owner | Ministry of Defence |
Operator | British Army |
Site history | |
Built | 1815 |
Built for | War Office |
In use | 1815-1918 |
Hackness Martello Tower and Battery is located on South Walls, in Orkney, Scotland.
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.
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.
Hackness Martello Tower and Battery is in the care of Historic Scotland. Visitors can tour the tower, battery and reconstructed barracks.