The leader of Highland Council has given her backing to the Press and Journal’s campaign to save the “iconic” Fort George barracks from closure.
Margaret Davidson revealed last night that she would be writing to Defence Secretary Michael Fallon to urge him to abandon any plans to pull the Army out of the base.
The Press and Journal launched the Fight for Forth George campaign last week after we revealed the future of the 250-year-old garrison was under review by the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
More than 550 people have already signed our online petition to save Fort George, including former servicemen and women, film star Hugh Grant, and senior politicians such as SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson.
Fight For Fort George: Sign our petition
Ms Davidson last night added her name to the list, saying: “Fort George is an iconic military barracks and we really value the presence of The Black Watch here in the Highlands.
“Over many years they have made a huge contribution to our community, not just economically, but also socially.
“I also believe it is important that Fort George continues as an active base as I feel it is essential that the military have a footprint across the whole of the country.
“As leader of the council I am therefore delighted to support the campaign to retain Fort George and will be writing to the Secretary of State for Defence to make this point.”
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 would threaten the future of the Highlanders Museum, which is also based at Fort George.
The MoD has insisted that “no final decision” has been taken on the future of Fort George, with the results of its “footprint” review to be announced in the autumn.
