The Natural Arch Cove, Inverasdale

The Natural Arch Cove, Inverasdale

ID: QZP40_CARD_5617 DESCRIPTION: The natural arch at Cove, Inverasdale. Cove is one of a number of small crofting settlements on the west coast of Loch Ewe in Wester Ross. During the early part of the nineteenth century the inhabitants of the inland glens were cleared to the coast to make way for sheep farming. Loch Ewe was an important naval base during both World Wars and in World War II it served as an assembly point for Arctic convoys to Russia. Beyond Cove at Rubha nan Sasan, where the single track road ends, there are the remains of an extensive World War II emergency coast battery. Also known as the 'Loch Ewe Defences', the surviving structures consist of two gun houses (each originally housing a 6" Mark 7 (naval) gun), a battery observation post, two searchlight emplacements, engine houses or generating rooms, magazines, and two emplacements for anti-aircraft guns. The site was manned from January to September 1942 by 308 Independent Coast Battery (Royal Artillery) and from September 1942 until April 1944 by 154 Independent Battery. Thereafter it was placed on a care and maintenance basis. There is no record of the battery ever been fired in anger. In 1999 a memorial stone to those who died on the convoys was unveiled. PLACENAME: Inverasdale DISTRICT: Gairloch OLD COUNTY/PARISH: ROSS: Gairloch CREATOR (AV): J Valentine & Co. DATE OF IMAGE: 1939 PERIOD: 1930s SOURCE: Highland Libraries COLLECTION: Highland Libraries' Postcard Collection Asset ID: 37241 KEYWORDS: