Longhope, Orkney
| Longhope | |
  Longhope Longhope shown within Orkney | |
| OS grid reference | ND303907 |
|---|---|
| Council area | Orkney |
| Lieutenancy area | Orkney |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | STROMNESS |
| Postcode district | KW16 |
| Dialling code | 01856 |
| Police | Scottish |
| Fire | Scottish |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament | Orkney and Shetland |
| Scottish Parliament | Orkney |
Longhope is a coastal settlement on the island of South Walls, in Orkney, Scotland. South Walls is linked to Hoy by causeway; Longhope is the largest settlement on the two islands.
An RNLI lifeboat has been stationed at Longhope since 1874; a former lifeboat station is now a museum. On 17 March 1969 the station suffered one of the worst tragedies in British lifeboat history when its lifeboat, T.G.B., was lost with all eight crew after answering a mayday call during severe storms. In total, as of 2004, the station has received 26 bravery honours.[1]
A coastal artillery base, Hackness Gun Battery,[2] was established near Longhope at ND338912 to defend gathering Baltic convoys from enemy attack. Excavation undertaken by Headland Archaeology proved that this battery had undergone two stages of development. It was built between 1813 and 1815 in response to a perceived threat from American privateers. On recommendations made by the Admiralty the base was constructed alongside one of only three martello towers in Scotland;[3] the others being across the bay from Hackness at Crockness and the Tally Toor in Leith.[4] Eight 24-pounder guns were placed in the original battery, but were replaced in 1866 with four 68-pounder guns as part of an overhaul. This remodelling was in response to a perceived threat from Fenians based in America. No guns were ever fired in anger from the battery and the excavated remains have been left for public display.
See also
- Longhope Lifeboat Thomas McCunn ON 759
References
- ↑ "Lifeboat Station : Longhope". RNLI. Retrieved 13 July 2007.
- ↑ "South Walls, Hackness, The Battery". Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. Retrieved 29 January 2009.
- ↑ "Hoy, Crockness, Martello Tower". Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. Retrieved 29 January 2009.
- ↑ "Leith Martello Tower". Gazetteer for Scotland. Retrieved 13 July 2007.
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Longhope, Orkney. |
External links
- Longhope's website
- "Longhope". Undiscovered Scotland. Retrieved 13 July 2007.
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