Introduction to Fort George

Fort George is a stunning piece of 18th century British military engineering located at Ardersier, eleven miles east of Inverness in the Scottish Highlands.

The catalyst for the construction of the Fort was the Jacobite Rising which was finally crushed at the Battle of Culloden in 1746.This was a failed attempt by the House of Stuart to overturn the Hanoverian dynasty. However, the Battle of Culloden proved conclusive and after that event the Highlands remained peaceful notwithstanding which the Fort has continued as army barracks to this day.

Design and construction of Fort George

The Fort was designed by military engineer, Major-General William Skinner as an impregnable base for George 11’s army in the North of Britain. The complement was some 2000 men comprising two field battalions of infantry, an artillery unit and officer corps. The building included staff blocks, barrack blocks, powder magazines, ordnance and provision stores, a bake house, brew house and chapel.

Construction took twenty years and cost of nearly GBP200,00 exceeded the GNP of Scotland at the time.

The site covers forty two acres and has a rampart extending to over half a mile.

Defensive considerations at Fort George

Location on a promontory (jutting into the Moray Firth) affords advantage through strength and isolation. The high ground nearby (one mile to the east) was out of range for guns and howitzers of the day.

The project succeeded to the extent that no further military uprising occurred post Culloden and, of course, the Fort is still in use today, a great testament to the architect and builders of the 18th century.

In 1860 the fort was remodelled and re-fortified as a powerful coastal defence battery in context of a strategy to counter the threat of a French invasion.

Fort George and visitors

A compelling visitor attraction, especially for persons interested in the military. The western tip offers good views over the Moray Firth  where, occasionally, dolphins can be seen feeding. 

Fort George is an active military base but open to visitors under management of Historic Environment Scotland.

For more information on sightseeing in Scotland refer Visitors’ Guide to Scotland, ISBN 978-1-9161332-0-4