Moray and Highland councils could join forces in the fight to save the two biggest Army barracks in the north.
Angus Robertson, the Moray MP, revealed earlier this week that the future of the Kinloss Army Barracks had been thrown into doubt.
It is being considered for closure alongside the historic Fort George garrison, near Inverness, as part of the same Ministry of Defence (MoD) spending review.
Highland Council leader Margaret Davidson revealed yesterday that she hoped to work with her counterparts in Moray to see how the authorities could combine to protect the two bases.
Moray Council leader Stewart Cree said last night that he would be willing to discuss the prospect of the two councils co-operating on a strategy.
Mr Cree said that Moray had a “wealth of experience” when it came to fighting for the future of the region’s military bases – after a successful crusade to spare RAF Lossiemouth from closure in 2010.
He added: “Because of that, we have a lot of knowledge on what works and we would be happy to share that with Highland Council.
“Each installation has its own unique qualities, and there are certainly differences between Fort George and the Kinloss Army Barracks.
“However, I am open to speaking with Mrs Davidson about how we could possibly help each other.”
Mr Cree said he would have to consult a newly formed local task force, led by the Moray Economic Partnership, before he made any formal agreement with Highland Council.
He added: “We will discuss what value there might be in campaigning in some sort of joint fashion.”
The threat to the future of Fort George was revealed by the Press and Journal in June.
More than 3,650 people have now signed online and paper petitions to save the 250-year-old base, which is currently home to the famous Black Watch battalion
Mrs Davidson also raised the future of Fort George with Scotland Office Minister Lord Dunlop during talks in the Highland capital this week.
She said: “He told me a decision would be made later in the year.
“I’m going to go down to London to meet with him and Scottish Secretary David Mundell.
“What I’m wanting to do is to get on the front foot. Even if Fort George is not closed, we don’t want to be back here in a few years.
“Can we think about where we want to be in five to 10 years?”
