Fort George, near Inverness (Inverness)
Fort George, is the mightiest artillery fortification in Britain.
Summary
- Gift shop
- Information provided
- Free car parking (on site)
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Food and Drinks
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Introduction
Following the 1746 defeat at Culloden of Bonnie Prince Charlie, George II created the ultimate defence against further Jacobite unrest. The result, Fort George, is the mightiest artillery fortification in Britain, if not Europe.
Its garrison buildings, artillery defences bristling with cannon, and superb collection of arms – including bayoneted muskets, pikes, swords and ammunition pouches – provide a fascinating insight into 18th century military life.
Positioned strategically on a promontory jutting into the Moray Firth, Fort George was intended as an impregnable army base – designed on a monumental scale using sophisticated defence standards. Today, it would cost nearly £1 billion. Within almost a mile of boundary walls was accommodation for a governor, officers, artillery detachment, and a 1600-strong infantry garrison. It also housed a magazine for 2,500 gunpowder barrels, ordnance and provision stores, a brewhouse and chapel.
When the fortress was completed in 1769, the Highlands were peaceful but it was maintained in readiness for action that never came, and has remained virtually unaltered. Visitors today can see historic barrack rooms which are a time capsule of the domestic life of the Scottish soldier.
Fort George is the only ancient monument in Scotland still functioning as intended – a working army barracks - but still welcoming visitors.
History to the present day
Fort George is quite simply the finest example of 18th-century military engineering you’ll find anywhere in the British Isles. This vast garrison fortress was begun in the aftermath of the Battle of Culloden (1746), which crushed the final Jacobite Rising. It took over 20 years to complete and in the event it was never attacked. It remains virtually unaltered today, and still serves as an important military base.
The Jacobite Rising of 1745–6 proved to be the last attempt by the Stewart dynasty to regain the British throne from the Hanoverians. Following Culloden, fought just 8 miles (12km) from Fort George, the government introduced ruthless measures to prevent such a Rising happening again. Fort George was one of them, named after King George II (1727–60).
It was designed as the main garrison fortress in the Scottish Highlands, holding two field battalions and staff officers (some 2,000 men) and an awesome armament of over 80 guns.
Lieutenant-General William Skinner was the designer and first governor of Fort George. He mapped out a complex and fascinating interplay of ramparts and massive bastions, ditches and firing steps. The defences were heavily concentrated on the landward side of the promontory, from where an anticipated Jacobite assault would come. The remaining seaward sides were protected by long stretches of rampart and smaller bastions.
Internally, Skinner provided all the buildings required by the large garrison – houses for the governor, deputy-governor and fort-major, blocks for the staff officers and the gunners, two enormous piles of barracks, ordnance and provision stores, powder magazines, workshops and – as an afterthought – a chapel. All are still there, largely as they were built.
Fort George never fired a shot in anger. Later in the 18th century, after the Jacobite threat had evaporated, the fort became a recruiting base and training camp for the rapidly expanding British Army. Many a Highland lad passed through its gates on his way to fight for the British Empire across the globe. Between 1881 and 1964 the fort served as the depot of the Seaforth Highlanders. The regimental museum of the Highlanders (Seaforths & Camerons) is there today. So is the British Army.
Fort George is the only property in the care of Historic Scotland still serving its original purpose.
Food and Drinks
The café is open daily from 10.00am to 5.00pm during the summer months, but closes at 4.00pm in winter. Please note that the café operates a reduced menu in winter. The menu includes freshly ground coffee, which is complemented by a tempting range of traditional Scottish home-baking including scones and shortbread.
Other facilities
A gift shop and café (seasonal) are among the attractions. The Regimental Museum of the Highlanders is found at the property, while dolphins can often be seen from the ramparts. There is also a summer events programme.
Arrival information and how to find us
Address: Fort George, near Inverness, Inverness, , United Kingdom
Opening times:
1 April - 30 September: Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun 9.30am to 5.30pm
1 October - 31 March: Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun 9.30am to 4.30pm
Closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Regimental Museum is open from 10.00am to 5.15pm every day during the summer and from 10.00am to 4.00pm Monday to Friday only in the winter. The museum will be closed from the 19th December to the 4th January inclusive.
Admission prices:
Adult £6.70, Child £4.00, Concession £5.40
Public Transport: The Fort is served by Sightseeing Bus Tours. The Inverness service is available between mid-May and the end of September.
