|
Fort George is 12 miles northeast of
Inverness at the narrow entrance to
the Moray Firth.
The Museum at the Fort is open most of the
year with an entrance fee. Postcode IV2 7TD
For Images on Mobile swipe right
Click On Map for area Attractions
Camping & Touring Parks in
area
This is a huge Fort that can only really be
seen in full from the air.
Fort George was built from 1748 to 1769. It
was built after the Jacobite
Rising of 1745 that ended with the defeat
of the Jacobite's at the Battle of
Culloden in 1746.
There were a number of Forts and Military
Roads built throughout Scotland at that time to
prevent any more uprisings.
Culloden is 9 miles south of Fort
George.
The two later Jacobite risings of 1715 and
1746 were to overthrow Kings George I and
George II. These Kings were Protestant from
Germany, relations of the Stuart's.
The English Parliament had chosen these
Kings before the Catholic Stuart's from
Britain, leading to Jacobite Risings, as the
Stuart's from Britain had a greater claim to
the throne.
The English Parliament refused to allow any
more Catholic Kings or Queens, as they were
seen to be friendly with Catholic France, the
long running enemy of England.
These Forts and Roads were used to keep the
Highland Clans from rebelling against the Kings
and Queens.
The Museum shows the life of soldiers at the
time with information on the weapons of the
day. It also covers the many Regiments based at
the Fort over the centuries.
The main Government weapon of this time was
the Flintlock rifle with bayonet, about 7 feet
in length together. A well trained army could
fire three shots per minute, and form a line
that was almost impossible for Highlanders with
three foot long swords to break through.
Fort George History
1714 - Queen Ann Stuart dies without leaving
an heir.
1714 - the Protestant George I from Hanover
in Germany, a second cousin of Anne, is
proclaimed King of Great Britain by the English
Parliament.
1715 - war breaks out with Jacobite's trying
to overthrow George I so the Catholic James
Francis Edward Stuart could become King.
1716 - James flees to exile in France,
ending that uprising. New laws were then
introduced to prevent Scots from possessing
weapons.
1716 - many Jacobite Highlanders begin to
emigrating to America and Canada.
1716 - 6 Government Regiments were set up to
keep peace in the Highlands. These were mainly
made up of men from Clan Campbell, Clan Fraser
of Lovat, Clan Munro, and Clan Grant. These
Regiments became known as the Black Watch.
1727 - George I died with his son George II
becoming King of Great Britain.
1727 - a large fort was built in Inverness
named Fort George.
1745 - Charles Edward Stuart / Bonnie Prince
Charlie travels from exile in France in an
attempt to overthrow George II. Charles had the
backing of many Highland Clans, and the French
were supporting him as they were keen to have a
Catholic King of Great Britain, so as to end
the long running wars between England and
France.
1745 - Jacobite's capture Fort George in
Inverness.
1746 - as Government forces began regaining
control of Scotland, the Jacobite's blew up
Fort George so it could not be used by
Government troops.
1746 April - the Battle of
Culloden ends with the Jacobite's defeated
for the final time, last major battle on the
British mainland.
1746 - new laws were introduced to have all
weapons handed in to Government forces, and the
wearing of kilts and tartan was prohibited.
This leads to more migration to America and
Canada.
1748 - work begins on the new Fort George,
12 miles northeast of Inverness.
1765 - the War for American independence
from Great Britain begins.
1769 - the new Fort George is completed with
the Black Watch Regiment based there to control
the Highlanders.
1760s - new land laws were introduced that
led to many Highlanders being forced off their
land, leading to increased migration to
America. Landowners then began using the land
for large scale sheep, cattle and crop
farming.
1783 - America gains Independence from Great
Britain.
1787 - Britain begins transporting criminals
to Australia. These people could be sent to
Australia for minor crimes, an easy way to get
rid of anyone seen as trouble for the
Government. Many Clansmen were deported to
Australia for sheep stealing or cattle
rustling.
1846 - potato blight led to a shortage of
food in the West Highlands of Scotland, leading
to many Highlanders moving south to the
cities.
1881 - the Seaforth Highlanders are based at
Fort George.
1961 - the Queen's Own Highlanders are based
at Fort George.
2007 - the Black Watch is moved from their
base in Belfast to Fort George.
Today, outside the larger towns, the
Highlands of Scotland are a vast wilderness
with the ruins of small buildings, all that
remains of the many families that once lived
their.
|
