- Type
- Fortress
- Origins
- 1748 · 18th century per Wikidata: founding, first mention or construction
- Location
- Scotland, United Kingdom
- Architect
- William Skinner
- Visiting
- probably – Wikidata lists it as a museum or gives tickets, opening hours or visitor numbers; check before you go
- Coordinates
- 57.5837°, -4.0701°
History
After the Jacobite defeat at Culloden in 1746 the British government resolved to build a fortress in the Highlands that would prevent any further rising. The design was drawn up by the military engineer William Skinner, and the work was run by the main contractor John Adam, brother of the architect Robert Adam. Construction on the Ardersier peninsula, jutting into the Moray Firth, lasted from 1748 to 1769 and cost over £200,000 – by an often-quoted estimate more than Scotland's annual income at the time. By the time it was finished the Highlands had been pacified, and Fort George never came under attack. It has served as a British Army barracks ever since.
What to see
Bastioned ramparts with a ravelin run for about 1.6 km around a parade ground of more than a dozen hectares; you can walk the whole circuit along the top, watching for dolphins in the Moray Firth. Reconstructed barrack rooms show soldiers' living conditions in the 18th century, and the Grand Magazine holds thousands of muskets, bayonets and pikes. The fortress also houses the Highlanders' Museum and a garrison chapel.
Wikipedia article Official website Wikidata Q1426707
Popularity: articles about this site in 15 Wikimedia projects (Wikipedia language editions and others).