Sinkhole at historic Highland fort putting sea wall at risk of 'catastrophic collapse'

Part of the historic Fort George in the Highlands is at risk of collapsing into the sea due to a sinkhole.

The historic fort, in the Moray Firth near Inverness, was constructed in 1769 and is still used as an army base and a tourist attraction.

Coastal erosion of the sea has caused a sinkhole to open near the north-east perimeter wall at the barracks.

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has submitted plans for “emergency work” as the sea wall is at “a significant risk of a catastrophic collapse”.

To avoid the collapse, their proposal suggests using concrete to fill the sinkhole and strengthening the sea wall.

HES recently undertook similar work in partnership with the Ministry of Defence on another part of the sea wall nearby as they try to keep pace with coastal erosion.

Public access to the fort has not been affected.

Fort George was an artillery fort built by the Government in the aftermath of the Jacobite rising in 1745 and has remained “unaltered” since its completion.

The fort is a category A listed building and is described as one of the finest examples of 18th-century military engineering in the British Isles.

A HES spokesperson said: “In line with other parts of Scotland, coastal erosion and lowering of beach levels is affecting the Moray Firth.

“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.

“This previously caused localised scouring (the erosion of soil) in the vicinity of the Place of Arms at Fort George, commonly known as the Dog Cemetery.

“Since then, we have been made aware of a further area of localised scouring at the North Glacis sea wall.

“This area has been fenced off and we are in discussions with the Ministry of Defence regarding remedial works.”