Scottish Tour Guide's Blog

 

This evening, I am focusing on the town of Strathpeffer in the Highlands of Scotland which is situated N.W. of Inverness, near the Cromarty Firth.

 

Strathpeffer is a very impressive small town which derived its prosperity from a sulphurous spring which was discovered in the mid 1700s. Subsequently, Strathpeffer developed into a fashionable ‘Spa Town’ reaching its peak in the years prior to World War 1, aided by inclusion in the rail network during the 19th century. The Spa Pavilion still exists but the rail link does not.

 

Strathpeffer is well endowed with hotels dating from the past century and as such continues to attract tourists including hikers and walkers.

 

Overall, Strathpeffer impresses as being clean and prosperous in a stunning Highland setting with Ben Wyvis (3433 ft) in the background.

 

 

This evening, I am focusing on a stunning piece of 18th century miltray engineering as manifested in the 250 year old Fort George near Inverness in the Scottish Highlands.

 

The catalyst for the construction of the fort was the Jacobite Rising which was finally crsuhed at the Battle of Culloden in 1746.This was a failed attempt by the House of Stuart to overturn the Hanoverian dynasty. However, the Battle of Culloden proved conclusive and after that event the Highlands remained peaceful notwithstanding which the fort has continued as army barracks to this day.

 

The fort was designed by military engineer, Major-General William Skinner as an impregnable base for George 11′s army in the north of Britain. The complement was some 2000 men comprising two field battalions of infantry, gunners and officer cadre. The building included staff blocks, barrack blocks, powder magazines, ordnance and provision stores, a bakehouse, brewhouse and chapel.

 

A compelling visitor attraction, especially for persons interested in the military. The western tip offers good views over the Moray Firth  where, occasionally, dolphins can be seen feeding.

 

Here is the parade ground  near the front entrance.

 

 

 

Today, was the final day of our ancestry themed tour of Scotland. Having covered the personal ancestry connections we embarked on some sightseeing in northern Scotland around the Inverness area.

 

Departing our oodgings at Dingwall we drove east to Fort George which sits on a promontory in the Moray Firth. This is a massive construction which was completed in 1769 and remains almost intact. It ranks as one of the most outstanding  fortifications in Europe and comprises staff blocks, barrack blocks, powder magazines, ordnance and provision stores, a bakehouse, brewhouse and a chapel. The fort remains a British Army base to this day. A truly impressive edifice.

 

Fort George was completed in 1769 and was intended as a deterrent to Jacobite uprisings after their final defeat at nearby Culloden in 1746.

 

The Fort offers an excellent vantage point for viewing the Mora Firth and Chanonry Point opposite. We had the good fortune to view dolphins swimming in the water below the Fort walls.