A leading figure at the under-threat Fort George barracks has said that it would be a “sad day” if the base was closed.
Major General Seymour Monro, who is chairman and director of the Highland Military Tattoo and served as chairman of The Highlanders Museum, urged defence chiefs not to pull out of the base.
The Press and Journal revealed last week that the 250-year-old garrison was facing the axe in the latest round of Ministry of Defence cuts.
Almost 450 people have signed our petition against its closure in the last few days, including Hollywood actor Hugh Grant, SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson, MP Drew Hendry and MSPs David Stewart and Kate Forbes.
Fight For Fort George: Sign our petition
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 base attracts 55,000 visitors each year, and studies carried out into its economic impact have revealed that its closure could cost the Highlands £14million a year and lead to the loss of 112 jobs.
Fears have been raised that any withdrawal from the site by the Army could threaten the future of the Highlanders Museum, which is also based at Fort George.
Maj Gen Monro CBE previously led a fundraising campaign to raise almost £3million to renovate the regimental museum, with the work completed in 2013.
Last night, he said: “It would clearly be very sad if Fort George was to close as a regular military base. It would be a sad day for this part of the world.
“It’s a good base and it should be more than just a tourist destination and venue for a military tattoo.”
Previously held at the Northern Meeting Park in Inverness, the biggest tattoo outside Edinburgh was scrapped after 60 years in 2011 due to cost-cutting measures.
It was reborn in 2014 at Fort George, and will be held this year between September 9 and 11.
Maj Gen Monro said: “The tattoo is going to plan for this year. If people want to come they should start to think about getting their tickets.
“It’s going to be a great show. It’s a great tattoo and we want to keep that going into the future.”
