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Sign our petition: Fight For Fort George

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Inverness MP Drew Hendry has demanded urgent talks with UK defence chiefs over plans to shut down the historic Fort George barracks.

The Press and Journal exclusively revealed yesterday that the 250-year-old garrison is facing the axe.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) refused to deny last night that the home of the famous Black Watch battalion was under review – saying only that “no final decision” had been taken over its future.

To sign our petition, click here.

The UK Government department is currently attempting to save £1billion by cutting the size of its estates by 30%.

The results of its ongoing review of the future of Fort George and other bases will be announced this autumn.

Mr Hendry branded the proposed Fort George pull-out a “disgrace” last night and called for a meeting with UK ministers.

The MP for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey said: “I have written to both the Scottish secretary and the minister at the Ministry of Defence seeking an urgent meeting to get clarification over this issue.

“The fact that Fort George is even being considered is a disgrace.

“Fort George has been a garrison for 250 years and is an integral part of the community of Ardersier, Nairn, Inverness and the wider Highlands.

“I also think the Moray Firth coast has had enough uncertainty in recent years with the reviews of the RAF bases. It’s about time they stopped mucking about with places like Fort George.”

Fort George, Inverness
Fort George, Inverness

Inverness Chamber of Commerce chief executive Stewart Nicol said: “I think there would be quite a significant economic impact.

“It’s a fairly large employer and it’s a site with lots of history.”

The P&J has also thrown its weight behind the campaign to save the barracks.

Fort George was built by King George II, at a cost estimated at about £1billion in today’s money, to keep peace in the Highlands following the Battle of Culloden in 1746.

Formerly home of the Seaforth Highlanders and later the Queen’s Own Highlanders (Seaforth and Camerons), it more recently housed the Royal Irish Regiment, and since 2007 has been the garrison of the Black Watch, 3rd Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland.

Hollywood actor Hugh Grant launched a public appeal to help raise £3million to redevelop the museum in 2011.

His grandfather, Col James Murray Grant, was commander at the garrison during World War II.

An MoD spokesman said: “As part of an ongoing review, we are aiming to create a smaller and better defence estate that effectively supports our Armed Forces in the important role they play.

“The MoD is considering how it might achieve this and no final decision about the future of Fort George has been made at this time.”