Coastal Defences
"A Defended Coast, Keiss", watercolour, 25 x 36 cm
This scene interested me because of the time-scale represented by the different buildings. The distant castle was built around the beginning of the Seventeenth Century, whereas the foreground structure is a pillbox gun emplacement from World War II. In fact there is even more history covered: although they don't appear in the view, two brochs*, take us back to before 100 AD.
In the past such a remote coastline has always brought danger from seaborne raids, but in 1940 a larger scale invasion was feared. When Nazi Germany occupied Norway, it gave them a base for an attack on the north of Scotland. Consequently, a system of defences was put in place all round the coast of Caithness, with minefields and anti-tank obstacles on the sandy beaches, and gun positions covering all the approaches. There was no invasion, and I don't think it would have got very far if it had taken place: the roads to the south are either along a narrow cliff-top, or across boggy country unsuitable for armoured vehicles. It would only have been a diversion from the main invasion in the English Channel.
Thankfully we live in more peaceful times now, and we no longer feel threatened by our European neighbours.
Thankfully we live in more peaceful times now, and we no longer feel threatened by our European neighbours.
Comments
Lovely bright colour add to this magical double narrative! Bravo!
Good Painting!
Warmest regards,
Bruce
Thanks for visiting.
All the best,
Keith
Thanks for sharing.