It protected Aberdeen’s vital harbour during two world wars, seeing off threats to the nation’s shipping from land and air. But now the historic Torry battery – designated an ancient scheduled monument by the Scottish Government in 2000 – has fallen into a shocking state of disrepair.
Graffiti, empty beer cans and overgrown weeds cover the historic artillery site which has defended the granite city since 1860.
Angry local residents have accused Aberdeen City Council of “disrespecting” the servicemen who fought there and demanded they restore the fortification to its former glory.
John Main, 81, of the Old Torry Heritage Society, said: “I’ve been in Torry for at least 50 years and I can say that the battery has been going steadily downhill for years now.
“The path up to it is in a terrible state and inside it is worse. There is litter everywhere.
“I think it is very disrespectful to leave it in this state when you think of how scared the men there must have been when they were defending the city.
“The council needs to take more responsibility for such a unique part of Aberdeen’s heritage.”
The battery has a long and varied history, falling into disuse many times since it was built in 1860 to defend against a possible French invasion.
During World War One, it was permanently manned to watch for attacks on Aberdeen’s shipping industry, and in 1939 – as World War II began – anti-aircraft guns, searchlights and concrete roofs were added to protect the guns from aerial attack by dive bombers, and from ground attack in the event of an enemy landing.
The guns were left in place until after the Suez crisis of 1956 when the battery was finally put out of use by the military.
Since then the ruin has proved a visitor attraction for Aberdeen offering unspoilt views of the North Sea and the city itself.
Torry councillor Graham Dickson said it was sad that the fortification had fallen into its current state.
“I would say that people should take responsibility for clearing up their own mess but the authorities should take better care to keep it maintained,” he added.
An Aberdeen City Council spokeswoman blamed litter louts and vandals for the mess.
“It is extremely disappointing that, despite ongoing strenuous efforts to keep the area clean, a selfish minority continue to behave in an irresponsible and anti-social manner there,” she said.
“Littering and graffiti have a very negative impact on Aberdeen, both environmentally and aesthetically.
“There is absolutely no excuse for committing this type of offence.”