Hackness Martello Tower and Battery, Orkney
Explore Orkney’s historic Napoleonic coastal defences at Hackness Martello Tower and Battery, a rare and well-preserved military site overlooking Scapa Flow.
Hackness Martello Tower and Battery, located on South Walls island in Orkney, Scotland, are historic coastal defences built in 1813–14 during the Napoleonic Wars. Designed to protect British merchant convoys anchored in Longhope Sound from French and American privateers, the site features a well-preserved artillery battery and a distinctive three-storey Martello tower. Though never engaged in battle, the site offers a vivid glimpse into 19th-century military life and coastal defence architecture.
A brief summary to Hackness Martello Tower and Battery
- Hackness, South Walls, Stromness, KW16 3PQ, GB
- +441856701727
- Visit website
- Duration: 1 to 2.5 hours
- Mid ranged
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Outdoor
- Mobile reception: 3 out of 5
- Monday 10:15 am-4 pm
- Tuesday 10:15 am-4 pm
- Wednesday 10:15 am-4 pm
- Thursday 10:15 am-4 pm
Local tips
- Visit between April and September when guided tours are available to fully appreciate the site's history and features.
- Wear sturdy footwear as exploring the battery and tower involves uneven terrain and stairs.
- Bring a camera to capture panoramic views of Longhope Sound and Scapa Flow from the tower roof.
- Combine your visit with nearby Orkney attractions for a richer understanding of the region’s maritime heritage.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Seating Areas
- Information Boards
- Restrooms
Getting There
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Bus
Take the Orkney bus service from Stromness to South Walls, which runs several times daily during the tourist season. The journey takes approximately 45 to 60 minutes. Note that services are less frequent outside summer months, and no direct bus access is available in winter.
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Car
Drive from Stromness to Hackness on South Walls via the Hoy ferry from Houton. The ferry crossing takes about 30 minutes and costs around £10-£15 GBP for a passenger vehicle. Parking is available near the site, but spaces are limited during peak season.
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Walking
For the adventurous, a hike from Longhope village to Hackness Martello Tower and Battery takes about 1.5 to 2 hours over mixed terrain, including some uneven coastal paths. Suitable for fit walkers with good footwear; not recommended in poor weather.
Hackness Martello Tower and Battery location weather suitability
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Any Weather
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Rain / Wet Weather
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Clear Skies
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Windy Conditions
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Mild Temperatures
Discover more about Hackness Martello Tower and Battery
Strategic Coastal Defence in the Napoleonic Era
The Hackness Martello Tower and Battery were constructed between 1813 and 1814 amid the Napoleonic Wars, a period marked by threats from French and American warships targeting British and Scandinavian merchant shipping. Positioned on South Walls island overlooking Longhope Sound, the battery and tower formed part of a defensive network guarding this crucial anchorage. The battery was equipped initially with eight 24-pounder cannons arranged in a V-formation to cover the bay’s entrance, and the adjacent Martello tower housed a 24-pounder gun on its roof. These fortifications were designed to protect convoys waiting for Royal Navy escorts on their journey to Baltic ports.Architecture and Military Life at Hackness
The Martello tower is an oval, three-storey structure with walls over 4.25 meters thick on the seaward side. Its ground floor contained the powder magazine, stores, and a water cistern, while the first floor served as living quarters for 14 soldiers and a non-commissioned officer, accessed by a removable wooden ladder. The roof held the gun emplacement, with iron tracks still visible that allowed the gun to rotate. The battery included soldiers’ barracks, a powder magazine, and a sloping parapet to aid cannon aiming. In 1866, the battery and tower were upgraded with larger 68-pounder guns and improved barracks, reflecting ongoing military concerns, though no combat action ever occurred.Historical Significance and Later Use
Despite never engaging enemy forces, the Hackness defences represent a rare surviving example of Martello towers in Scotland—one of only three in the country, alongside Crockness and Leith. The site was briefly used by the Royal Navy during World War I but was not armed for direct combat. After military use ceased, the battery was converted to farmland, and the tower and barracks fell into disrepair until Historic Environment Scotland acquired and restored them in the 1990s. Today, the site preserves original features such as the gun emplacement, barracks furnishings, and military memorabilia, offering insight into coastal defence strategies and soldier life across two centuries.Visitor Experience and Surroundings
Visitors to Hackness Martello Tower and Battery can explore the restored tower’s interior, including the barracks, magazine, and gun platform, and wander the battery’s open-air emplacements and parapets. The site provides commanding views over Scapa Flow, Orkney’s famous naval anchorage during both world wars, and the surrounding rugged coastline. The peaceful setting belies the site’s martial origins, inviting reflection on the strategic importance of Orkney in British naval history and the technological evolution of coastal defences.Architectural Legacy and Military Innovation
Martello towers were inspired by a Corsican design that successfully repelled a British naval attack in 1794, prompting Britain to build over 100 such towers along vulnerable coasts. Hackness and Crockness are unique as Scotland’s only Martello towers, embodying this architectural and military innovation. Their thick masonry walls, compact design, and strategic gun placements exemplify early 19th-century defensive engineering. The Hackness tower’s restoration includes a 64-pounder Armstrong gun, illustrating artillery developments beyond the Napoleonic era.Preservation and Cultural Heritage
Managed by Historic Environment Scotland, Hackness Martello Tower and Battery are protected as scheduled monuments, reflecting their national historic importance. The site’s careful preservation allows visitors to engage with Orkney’s maritime and military heritage, connecting local history with wider European conflicts. The battery and tower stand as enduring symbols of vigilance and preparedness, commemorating a time when the British Isles faced threats from across the seas but were ultimately spared direct attack at this location.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
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For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
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For the design and aesthetic lover
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For the architecture buff
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For the view chaser and sunset hunter
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For the social media creator & influencer
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For the eco-conscious traveler
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For the kind of experience you’re after
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For how adventurous you want the journey to be
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Location Audience
- Family Friendly
- Senior Friendly
- Child Friendly
- Teen Friendly
- Solo Friendly
- Couple Friendly
