Historic tour of duty that spans hundreds of years
THE first Fort George was built in 1727 in Inverness – a large fortress capable of housing 400 troops, on the site of a medieval castle.
The first commanding officer of the original Fort George was Sir Robert Munro, 6th Baronet, Colonel of the 42nd Royal Highlanders (Black Watch) and chief of the Highland Clan Munro.
During the 1745 Rising the fort was seized by the Jacobites, who blew it up in 1746 to prevent the Hanoverians from using it as a base.
In the wake of the Rising, the new fort was then built on a spit of land at Ardersier, around 11 miles north-east of Inverness.
With its own harbour below the walls, the fort could be supplied by sea in the event of a siege.
It took 20 years to build, with the work being completed in 1769.
The fort had capacity for a garrison of 1,600 infantrymen with access to numerous cannon, muskets, pikes and swords.
The magazine could hold 2,500 gunpowder barrels and there were also provision stores and a brew house.
The fort’s long history includes playing an important part in dealing with unrest during the Highland Clearances.
In more recent times, it also provided a site for Armed Forces personnel training for D-Day during the Second World War.
Tank troops and their armoured vehicles were based there.
Following the Childers Reforms – which restructured the infantry regiments of the British Army – the 72nd (Highland) Regiment of Foot and the 7 th (Highlanders) Regiment of Foot amalgamated to form the Seaforth Highlanders, with its depot in the barracks, in 1 1.
In 1961, the regiment again amalgamated with the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders.
This created the Queen’s Own Highlanders (Seaforth and Camerons): the new regiment formed its depot at Fort George at that time.
The barracks became the home of the Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland in 2007.
The layout is based on a star design and remains virtually unaltered.
As well as a working military barracks, Fort George is also open to visitors with exhibits showing its use at different periods.
Stores and a brew house