Fort George: Government 'taking advice' on defence cuts

Fort George is a base for the Black Watch

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has said advice from the military is guiding where UK government cuts are made to the defence estate.

Mr Fallon made the comment after being asked about the Army's future use of Fort George at Ardersier, near Inverness.

Highland Council and local MPs and MSPs are concerned the barracks will close.

Mr Fallon said the government was taking advice and that troops must be based "where they can put down roots".

The Ministry of Defence is reviewing the size of the UK's defence estate, which includes buildings and land used by the armed forces.

Mr Fallon told BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme: "We have too large a defence estate.

"It costs too much to run and it is not in the best interests of those who are serving, so we are taking advice from the military."

'Firmly opposed'

The defence secretary said service personnel should be stationed "where they are most likely to be able to put down roots".

Mr Fallon said: "Units of the Army and the RAF should be grouped in the right place where the units can recruit and where people have the best chance of employment for their families."

He added: "Let me assure you, Scotland plays a huge part in our defence."

Last week, Scotland's veterans minister Keith Brown met Highland councillors and members of Moray Economic Partnership to discuss the future of Fort George and Kinloss Barracks in Moray.

Following the meeting, Mr Brown said the Scottish government was "firmly opposed" to the sites closing.

Fort George, near Ardersier, is an 18th Century artillery fort and currently houses soldiers from the Black Watch (3 SCOTS).

Kinloss in Moray is a former RAF station that now provides a base for the Army.