Fort George is situated a few miles northeast of Inverness on a narrow strip of land that projects out into the mouth of the Moray Firth, overlooking the North Sea. It would be easy to imagine that such a dominant, heavily fortified building in a prominent defensive position would have a dark and bloody past, but the fort has never been involved in direct active duty.
After the British Army defeated the Jacobite forces at nearby Culloden in 1746, King George II ordered defences to be built to protect against any future Jacobite uprising, leading to the construction of Fort George. The scale of the defences is impressive, with it being considered to have been the most heavily fortified building in the country at that time.
The fort was designed to accommodate a large army of around 2,000, consisting of officers, an artillery detachment, and up to 1,600 infantry. The fort also houses large gunpowder stores, estimated at around 2,500 barrels, and an impressive supply of firearms and cannons. The scale of the fort is massive compared to other defensive buildings from the same era, with the site being over 40 acres and the external walls almost a mile round.
There is little doubt that the fort would have created a formidable opposition to any further Jacobite unrest; however, no further uprisings occurred.
Because the fort never faced an attack, it has remained undamaged and largely as it was originally constructed, offering an almost unique insight into military life in the 18th century.
Although the fort is run as a tourist attraction by Historic Scotland, it is still an active military base, creating the unusual situation where tourists walk around while army personnel go about their day-to-day duties and training.
Despite not having been involved in battle, the fort is believed to be haunted. The jail, which was often referred to as ‘the black hole,’ not because it is a pit, but because the room has no windows and becomes pitch black when the door is shut, is said to be the domain of a former soldier. This spirit is often referred to as ‘Abernethy’ after a prisoner, David Abernethy, who carved a message on the prison wall, which is still visible. The message states that he was imprisoned for sixty days for being drunk on guard duty, a seemingly severe punishment for the level of the offence, but no doubt considered necessary at the time to maintain order in the remote fort. There is, however, no evidence as to whether this spirit is actually that of David Abernethy or, if so, why he would choose to stay there, the connection seems to be purely made due to the message carved in the wall.
A ghostly soldier has also been witnessed in the guardroom, and as the guardroom is beside the jail, it is entirely possible this is the same spirit.
The fort is also reported to be haunted by a piper who walks along the walls at night. Again, this is connected with being a spirit of one of the soldiers who served there, although his identity and reasons for remaining are also a mystery.
Fort George is well worth a visit if in the area, not only to view the magnificent structure and feel like you are stepping back in time, but it is one of the best places to watch dolphins from the high walls
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