The role of the battery was to defend Kirkwall harbour from fast enemy vessels. The battery consisted of a gun emplacement which, for the majority of its use, was mounted with a twin six-pounder gun. The emplacement required a magazine to store the ammunition and an observation tower, from where operations were controlled. The battery had two searchlight emplacements to scout for motor torpedo boats in the water. These emplacements are now very precariously perched on the eroding coastline. The battery also had an engine house to provide power and an accommodation block for the army personnel.
Galtness Battery by Tommy Kirkpatrick
As your ferry journey continues up the coast, you’ll reach the Galt buoy, warning mariners of the underlying Galt skerry. This is a significant marker for North Isles residents as, once past the buoy you are now ‘north o’ the Galt’. Folk who live north of this latitude regard themselves (and are regarded by others) as a distinct grouping and they are proud of this northern identity. The placename ‘Galt’ derives from Old Norse Göltr which means wild boar.
Galt Skerry buoy by Tommy Kirkpatrick
