1994 Coastal Battery. Inchkeith was fortified in 1878-81 by the erection of three polygonal batteries, one in each of the three headlands. Connected one with the other by a military road 1. 5 miles long, they are yet entirely isolated by ditches 20ft deep and almost as many broad, while their massive parapet walls rise 4.
5 ft above the floor of the interior. These fortifications are now ruined but are generally as described above. Inchkeith Island was re-fortified and re-armed during both the First and Second World Wars with several different calibres of guns. Many of the present remains relate to the 1939-45 war period, and include light anti-aircraft positions.
The 9 or 10 batteries face eastwards whilst the 6 guns facing N and S were built to cover the channels to the N and S. These are annotated on a plan of the island (PRO 192/251) under the following names, A, (with Nos 1 and 2 6 guns) B, F, L, M groups, North Gun No. 1, West guns Nos.
1 and 2. All batteries have their observation posts with a main Fire Control area situated centrally on the island. In addition there are extensive administrative, domestic, supply and ammunition storage facilities along the whole length of the island. The date and function of the trenchwork system at the S end of the island are unknown.
Two wartime oblique aerial photographs show the situation in October 1941, with many of the temporary accommodation buildings visible. Fort No. 2, M Group (NT 2923 8312) ; the North Battery housed 2x 6-inch Mk VII/II guns which were installed in September 1904. F Group Battery (NT 2940 8267) ; This battery consisted of three Mk X/V 9.
2-inch guns, the first being installed in 1903, the second in 1904 and the third in 1907. A previous 9. 2-inch gun was installed in 1892 and removed in 1906. All guns had been removed by 1953. Two 3 anti-aircraft emplacements are shown on the WO plan immediately N of the coast battery and they can be seen on an oblique aerial photograph taken during the war (RAF S309, 6961, flown October 1941).
Radar site, a low power surface watching set, which was used to provide a general radar picture for coast artillery Area Commanders. It operated either in a wooden cabin or was installed in a fire command post. Fort No. 3, A Group, South Battery (NT 2958 8228). A concrete and brick coast battery of World War One and Two date.
The battery consisted of 2 x 6-inch Mk II/II guns installed in 1900 with a further two 6-inch guns being added in 1907. These were removed in 1909. During World War Two, 2 x 6-inch Mk VII/II guns were installed. This gun battery was operational throughout the Second World War. West Battery, north gun No.
1 (NT 2906 8293). A concrete and brick construction, built during the First World War and operational until the latter part of the Second World War. Consisting of two 6-inch Mk VII/II guns, the first installed in 1916, the second during 1917. One gun had come from the South Hool Battery the other from Chapel Bay.
Both guns had been removed by 1948. North Battery, L Group (NT 2928 8294). This battery is annotated as containing a 9. 2 calibre gun and is situated immediately N of the lighthouse. South Battery, B Group (NT 2948 8247). Situated on the spine of the island and annotated as part of B group south on the WO plan, this battery mounted a 9.
2 gun during WWII. 50m to the SE is an emplacement for a 3 anti-aircraft gun, the position is visible on an oblique aerial photograph taken in 1941 (RAF S309, 6962, flown October 1941). Fort No. 1, West Battery, Nos. 1and 2 (NT 2915 8278). Situated on the NW side of the island, and part of Fort No.
1, this battery is annotated on WO plan as West Nos. 1 and 2 guns but no gun calibre is given. A 3 anti-aircraft gun emplacement is shown between the two coast battery positions.