Fort George, Inverness (must see)

Fort George, an impressive 18th-century fortress located near Ardersier in the Highland council area of Scotland, stands as a testament to military engineering and historical resilience. Built following the Jacobite rising of 1745, it replaced an earlier fort of the same name in Inverness, constructed after the 1715 uprising. The current fort, designed to suppress Highland unrest, has never faced attack and continues to function as a garrison while also welcoming visitors.

The original Fort George, built in 1726 under General George Wade's orders, stood on a hillock beside the River Ness. It incorporated elements of a medieval castle initiated by Malcolm III of Scotland in the 11th century and fortified further by Oliver Cromwell in the 17th century. Capable of housing 400 troops, Wade's fort saw its commanding officer, Sir Robert Munro of Clan Munro, lead the 42nd Royal Highlanders (Black Watch). However, during the 1745 Jacobite rising, this fort was besieged and surrendered, ultimately destroyed by Jacobites to prevent British reuse.

In 1747, following the decisive Crown victory at Culloden, Colonel William Skinner was tasked with designing a new Fort George. The new site, chosen 16 kilometers northeast of Inverness at the mouth of the Moray Firth, provided strategic isolation. Completed in 1769, this fortress remains an unaltered example of a star fortification. Its defenses feature layered bastions, angled stone walls, and underground bunkers built to withstand artillery fire. Grassed slopes and loose shingle further protect the fortress, with approaches guarded by a ravelin, a wooden drawbridge, and an open killing ground.

Fort George’s design exemplifies "defense in depth," combining practicality with an almost serene aesthetic menace. Visitors today can explore exhibits that depict the fort's history while marveling at its enduring architectural sophistication. Though its walls never faced the test of battle, Fort George remains an iconic symbol of Scotland’s turbulent history and military ingenuity.