Fort George

Fort George, looking south towards accommodation blocks
©2011 Gazetteer for Scotland

Located close to the village of Ardersier, on the shores of the Moray Firth, some 11 miles (18 km) east of Inverness, Fort George was built as a garrison fortress to house government troops charged with policing the Highlands following the Jacobite rising of 1745.

Begun by William Adam in 1748, it took 21 years to complete, with John Adam continuing the work following his father's death. Fort George represented one of the largest construction projects ever undertaken in the Highlands, involving more than 1000 men, most of whom were drafted into the area from the lowlands and beyond. The cost was £200,000, which was an incredible sum at the time, being more than the Gross National Product of Scotland!

Fort George is a substantial fortification and includes significant barrack accommodation and a chapel. Unlike its sister Forts William and Augustus, Fort George remains an operational military base today, the home of the Queen's Own Highlanders.

The buildings are now in the care of Historic Scotland and are open to the public.

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