Andrew Liddle
The leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats has backed the Press and Journal’s campaign to save Fort George.
Ahead of a visit to Inverness today, Willie Rennie said it was “incredibly important” to retain the historic barracks, which has been threatened with closure by the Ministry of Defence.
More than 3,000 people have already registered their support for the P&J’s drive to save Fort George.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has also backed the campaign, along with a number of SNP MPs and MSPs.
Notting Hill star Hugh Grant has also joined the fight to save the fort, which is visited by around 55,000 people a year.
The actor’s grandfather was commander of the garrison after World War II – and in 2011 the film star launched a public appeal to help raise £3million to redevelop the Highlanders Museum at Fort George.
Yesterday, Mr Rennie said: “The campaign to save Fort George is incredibly important to the local community and economy.
“The military barracks have been operating for hundreds of years and are an iconic presence to locals. Any move to close the barracks would be a major blow to northern Scotland.
“If the barracks were to close then the hit to the local economy would be millions of pounds a year with hundreds of jobs being put at risk.
“The UK Government says a decision will be made this autumn and I hope they are listening to the thousands of people who have signed the petition against the closure and commit to keeping Fort George open.”
Other high-profile backers of the Press and Journal’s campaign include Warwick Lister-Kaye, son of Sir John and general manager at the nearby Aigas Field Centre, as well as Lord Godfrey and Lady Claire Macdonald, owners of Skye’s Michelin-starred Kinloch Lodge.
Built after the Battle of Culloden, the garrison has been the home of the famous 500-strong Black Watch battalion for almost a decade.
The campaign was launched after it emerged that Fort George was being put forward for closure as part of a review by military chiefs.
The Ministry of Defence has insisted that “no final decision” has been taken over the future of the base.