Hackness Martello Tower and Battery facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hackness Martello Tower and Battery |
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|---|---|
| Orkney | |
Hackness Martello Tower
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| Coordinates | 58°48′14″N 3°08′48″W / 58.8039°N 3.1468°W |
| Type | Barracks |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Ministry of Defence |
| Operator |  British Army |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1815 |
| Built for | War Office |
| In use | 1815-1918 |
| Official name | Hackness, Battery and Martello Tower |
| Type | 20th Century Military and Related: Battery, Secular: battery; martello tower |
| Designated | 29 October 1969 |
| Reference no. | SM90211 |
Hackness Martello Tower and Battery is an old military building in Orkney, Scotland. It used to be a place where the British Army stayed. Today, it is a museum you can visit. It is located on the island of South Walls.
A Look Back in Time
The Hackness Martello Tower was built a long time ago, in 1815. It was made to help protect British ships. These ships were in the bay of Longhope. They needed protection from American and French privateers. Privateers were like private ships that attacked other ships during wartime.
This happened during the Napoleonic Wars. Ships would wait in the bay for a Royal Navy escort. They were on their way to ports in the Baltic Sea. Another tower was built at Crockness to help protect the area too.
Upgrades and New Defenses
The towers were made stronger in 1866. New guns were added to them. Other buildings were also put in place. This was because people were worried about another possible invasion from France. The towers helped keep the area safe for many years.
More to Explore
- Tally Toor, Leith
Find Out More
- Hackness Martello Tower and Battery - official site at Historic Scotland
