3 days ago
Sink hole at Fort George near Inverness risks sea wall collapse
Part of historic Fort George in the Highlands is at risk of collapsing into the sea due to a sink artillery fortification was constructed on the Moray Firth, near Inverness, after the Battle of Culloden more than 250 years ago and it is run today as an army base and visitor Environment Scotland (HES) describes the site as the "finest example" of 18th Century military engineering in the British it has warned a hole has appeared behind a sea wall and emergency repairs are required.
HES, which has applied for planning permission for the work, said it was monitoring the added that public access to the fort was unaffected.
In a report supporting its planning application to Highland Council, HES said a sink hole had opened in the ground behind an area called the North Glacis retaining sea emergency work would involve pouring concrete to a depth of about 1.5m (5ft) to fill the hole and support the report said: "Without immediate intervention, there is a significant risk of catastrophic collapse of the sea wall and considerable loss of historic fabric."
HES told BBC Scotland News coastal erosion had lowered beach levels along the Moray said it had previously dealt with issues at Fort George in an area known as the Dog Cemetery, where there are the graves of regimental mascots and officers' pets.A spokesperson said: "Concrete underpinning works took place in late 2024 which allowed for our stonemasons and labourers to safely carry out localised repairs to the existing stone wall and associated landscaping. "These works were completed by the end of 2024 and access to the Dog Cemetery has since been reinstated to the Ministry of Defence."HES said a small area of the North Glacis had since been fenced spokesperson added: "Remedial works are planned and full access will be reinstated on the North Glacis once these have been completed."
Fort George was built near Ardersier by the British government after 1746's Battle of Culloden, which saw forces led by Bonnie Prince Charlie defeated by government fort took 22 years to it serves as a base for the Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of manages large parts of the site as a visitor attraction.
