Meeting to discuss Fort George future

Fort George was constructed in the 18th Century

The MP for Inverness and the leader of Highland Council are to meet MoD officials in London to discuss the future of Fort George in Ardersier.

SNP MP Drew Hendry and Margaret Davidson will meet the Minister for Defence Veterans, Reserves and Personnel Mark Lancaster on Monday.

The Ministry of Defence is considering closing the site as a working army barracks.

It currently houses soldiers from the Black Watch (3 SCOTS).

The role of Fort George has been examined in previous rounds of defence cuts, including in 2011.

Margaret Davidson told BBC Scotland that the meeting was timely.

She said: "I'm hearing from different sources that the decision is not that far away. I'm hearing that they'll make a decision by the end of the month, so it's really timeous that we speak to the minister now.

"I hear both side. I hear 'oh it needs too much money invested or oh they won't close Fort George'.

"It is so strategically important. It is the military barracks that we have left - the visible presence of the MoD and the army in the north - and when has it not been a good recruiting ground here in the north? I think they'd be ill-advised to pull back."

The fort continues to operate as a barracks